Cataracts cloud the vision and are common in older people. But there's good news: Cataracts can almost always be removed safely and your vision restored.
What is a Cataract?
In a nutshell: Protein in the lens of your eye can clump together and cloud small areas of the lens. This blocks light and, as more protein clumps occur, your sight can be reduced. Cataracts develop slowly and are not noticeable at first. No one knows for sure what causes cataracts to develop, but diabetes, smoking, and exposure to sunlight are thought to be factors.
Types of Cataracts
There are four types or causes of cataracts:
- Age-related cataracts are the most common.
- Congenital cataracts can affect babies or young children.
- Secondary cataracts can develop in people who have health problems, such as diabetes.
- Traumatic cataracts can develop after an eye injury.
How Are Cataracts Treated?
Early on, little or no treatment is needed. New glasses, magnifying devices, or stronger lighting might help.
The only "cure" for a cataract is surgical removal. When vision loss interferes with your everyday activities, such as working, driving, reading, or watching TV, your doctor might recommend surgery. There is usually no hurry. You and your doctor can discuss all the implications and timing.
Cataract surgery is one of the safest, most common, and effective surgical procedures.
How is a Cataract Removed?
There are two ways doctors can choose to remove your cataract. In both approaches, the eye is numbed with an anesthetic and you will stay awake during the procedure. Some patients prefer to be put to sleep.
- Phacoemulsification (or phaco) is the most common procedure. Your doctor makes a small incision on the side of the cornea that covers the front of your eye. The doctor then inserts a probe into the eye. The probe emits ultrasound waves that soften and break up the cloudy center of the lens, which is then removed by suction.
- Extracapsular surgery involves making a longer incision on the cornea and removing the hard center of the lens. The rest of the lens is removed by suction.
After surgery, the removed lens is replaced by an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). This lens becomes a permanent part of your eye. You can't see or feel the lens. And about 95 percent of the time, people have better vision after cataract surgery .
It usually takes only a few days for your eye to heal. Always follow the directions given by your doctor and medical care team. Medication, rest, and protection from bright light are common recovery aids.
Work Closely With Your Doctor
Each step of the process is important and should be discussed with your doctor. If you have cataracts in both eyes, they will not be removed at the same time. |
