Cataract

Cataracts may form in the eyes of people of any age, but they are most common in older adults. In fact, after age 65, many people have a cataract. It is important to remember that if you have a cataract, you may not necessarily require an operation because many people have some minor clouding of the lens that does not affect vision. An operation to remove the cataract becomes necessary only if the patient’s vision and ability to function become impaired. If you do need an operation to remove a cataract, you should know that advances that have been made in cataract operations in recent years have made cataracts one of the most treatable of eye disorders.

The reasons for and the outcome of any operation depend on your overall health, age, the severity of lens opacity (cloudiness), and any other abnormalities of the eye or existing health conditions.

What Causes Cataracts?

Most people who develop cataracts are older adults. Almost everyone over the age of 65 has a cataract in one or both eyes that interfere with vision. Diseases, such as diabetes, and the long-term use of some medications, such as corticosteroids, can contribute to the formation of cataracts. Physical injuries, such as a puncture wound to the eye, and injuries caused by chemicals hitting the eye or by exposure to excessive X-rays, intense heat or, possibly, too much sunlight also can cause cataracts. In addition, smokers tend to have a higher occurrence of cataracts than non-smokers.

Cataracts may take years to form, or they may worsen rapidly in a few months. Furthermore, cataracts can affect both eyes at the same time, but they may develop at different rates. People with cataracts often experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Blurred or hazy vision.
• Poor vision at night or in very bright light
• Difficulty driving, especially at night because of glare from headlights of oncoming cars.
• Seeing “ghost” images.
• Change in color vision.
• Loss of contrast.
• Poor distance vision.

Many people do not need to have an operation for a mild cataract. But when a cataract begins to interfere with your ability to carry out desired tasks — for instance, if you have difficulty reading a newspaper or you experience difficulty driving — it is time to discuss the option of a cataract operation with your ophthalmologist.

Can Cataracts Be Treated Non-Surgically?

Cataracts do not go away on their own or with the use of medication. The only way to treat cataracts is to have them removed surgically. However, there are a few things that can be done to provide temporary relief from the symptoms of cataracts until an operation can be performed. Eye drops that widen the pupil of the eye may help you to see better if the cataract is small and near the back of the lens; your surgeon will be able to determine the exact location of the cataract and whether eye drops may be a temporary option for you. Wearing sunglasses or other special types of glasses will protect your eyes from sunlight.

Screening And Diagnosis

An eye specialist can detect and track the development of cataracts during routine eye exams. Have your eyes examined:

• Every 2 to 4 years if you’re between ages 40 and 65
• Every 1 to 2 years if you’re 65 or older
• Any time you develop new, unexplained eye symptoms

If you find yourself “fighting” with your eyes – blinking more often to clear your vision of what may feel like a thin film over your eyes – or you experience other symptoms of cataracts, see your eye doctor. An eye doctor can diagnose cataracts with the help of a careful eye exam.

If it’s determined that you have cataracts, an assessment of how cataracts affect your day-to-day life can help determine whether the next step should be surgery.

• Surgical Removal of Cataracts
• Cataract Surgery Techniques