Cataracts
Protect your eyes and reduce your risk for this common eye condition.
Cataracts are probably the most well-known eye condition associated with age. By the age of 80, more than half of all people living in the US either have a cataract or have undergone cataract surgery.
If you notice any unusual or unexplained changes in your vision, call Dr. Davis Your Vision Source Provider or schedule an appointment online.
What are cataracts?
Inside your eye, there is a natural lens that is normally clear. Over the years, changes in the eyes lead to the breakdown of the lens’ proteins, causing them to become cloudy. When viewing things through a cataract, items may appear hazy, blurry or less colorful.
In general, cataracts develop in both eyes, though not always evenly. Because the cataract in one eye might be more developed than in the other, there could be a marked difference in vision.
In addition to the vision changes noted above, other symptoms of cataracts include:
- Greater sensitivity to glare and light
- Yellowing of colors
- Dim vision
- Double vision that’s in just one eye
- Needing more or brighter light for reading and similar activities
- Difficulty with driving, especially at night
- Seeing rings or halos around lights
Who is at risk for developing cataracts?
While cataracts are a common condition associated with aging, there are other risk factors that could increase your chances of developing them or having them appear earlier in your life.
Risk factors include:
- Excessive sunlight exposure
- Past eye surgery
- Excessive alcohol use
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Extended use of corticosteroid medications
- Previous eye inflammation and/or injury
- Obesity
There is also a strong genetic factor regarding the development of cataracts. If your parents, siblings, or other family members have cataracts, your chances of also getting them increases.
How do I reduce or prevent cataracts?
While cataracts are a part of the natural aging process for many people, there are still a number of strategies you can implement that could help slow their progression or prevent them from developing earlier in your life.
Stick to regular eye exams
This is the main way to keep your eye health in check. Only during a comprehensive eye exam can your optometrist detect early signs that could point to the development of cataracts. During your appointment, your eye doctor may go over some lifestyle changes that could improve the health of your eyes if there are changes to the eye’s lens.
Protect your eyes from the sun
The sun’s powerful ultraviolet rays can contribute to the development of cataracts. When you’re out in the sun, make sure to wear sunglasses that block UVB rays as well as a hat.
Make positive lifestyle changes
Eating a healthy diet that consists of lots of vegetables and fruits can help you maintain a healthy weight while also providing your eyes with the vitamins and minerals they need. If you drink alcohol frequently or in excessive amounts, cut back or stop altogether. Smoking can also have a detrimental effect on your eyes’ health. Quitting can help prevent eye diseases.
How are cataracts diagnosed and treated?
Your eye doctor is the only one who can provide a definitive diagnosis of cataracts. There are several tests that can assist in this diagnosis, including a slit-lamp exam, visual acuity test, and retinal exam.
During the early stages of the disease, the changes in vision associated with cataracts can often be addressed by using prescription glasses. When this strategy to clear your vision is no longer working, surgery is often the next step.
Cataract Surgery
What You Need to Know
How is a cataract treated? The symptoms of early cataract may be improved with new eyeglasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses. Also, 500mg of vitamin C on a daily basis will slow the progression of cataracts. If these measures do not help, surgery is the only effective treatment. Surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Sometimes a cataract should be removed even if it does not cause problems with your vision. For example, a cataract should be removed if it prevents examination or treatment of another eye problem, such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. If you have cataracts in both eyes that require surgery, the surgery will be performed on each eye at separate times, usually a week or two apart.
Is cataract surgery effective? Cataract removal is one of the most common operations performed in the United States. It also is one of the safest and most effective types of surgery. In about 90 percent of cases, people who have cataract surgery have better vision afterward. There is the possibility of a secondary or after cataract which is different from the first cataract and is easily lasered and is an in office procedure.
What are the risks of cataract surgery? As with any surgery, cataract surgery poses risks, such as infection and bleeding. Before cataract surgery, your doctor may ask you to temporarily stop taking certain medications that increase the risk of bleeding during surgery. After surgery, you must keep your eye clean, wash your hands before touching your eye, and use the prescribed medications to help minimize the risk of infection. Serious infection can result in loss of vision.
What happens before surgery? At the surgical consultation, your doctor will do some tests. These tests may include measuring the curve of the cornea (the front surface of the eye) and the size and shape of your eye. This information helps your doctor choose the right type of intraocular lens (IOL or implant). You may be asked not to eat or drink anything 12 hours before your surgery.
The surgeon will discuss different options for your implant lens. I have recommended the following implant options:
- Basic Cataract Implant: This lens is typically covered by medical insurances. This lens gives very good vision, often even without glasses, for either far or near. Glasses will still be needed for at least part time use.
- Toric Cataract Implant: This lens corrects for astigmatism and should be considered if you have a higher level of astigmatism. It helps to make your vision without glasses even better. If you do not have much astigmatism, this lens is unnecessary. There will be additional costs for this type of lens implant.
- Multifocal Cataract Implant: This is the only implant option that allows for both far and near vision and can give the most freedom from glasses. However, this lens may not be ideal for everyone and may cause additional nighttime glare after surgery. There will be additional costs for this type of lens implant.
What happens during surgery? At the outpatient surgical center or eye clinic, drops will be put into your eye to dilate the pupil. The area around your eye will be washed and cleansed. The operation usually lasts less than 15 and is almost painless. The cataract is removed by making a small opening on the front of the eye, dissolving the cloudy lens, and inserting an artificial lens implant in its place. After the operation, a patch may be placed over your eye. You will rest for a while. Your medical team will watch for any side effects, such as bleeding. You will need someone to drive you home.
What happens after surgery? Itching and mild discomfort are normal after cataract surgery. Some fluid discharge is also common. Your eye may be sensitive to light and touch. If you have discomfort, treatment can be modified to help. After one or two days, moderate discomfort should disappear. For a few weeks after surgery, you may be asked to use eyedrops to help healing and decrease the risk of infection. You will need to wear an eye shield or eyeglasses to help protect your eye. Avoid rubbing or pressing on your eye. When you are home, try not to bend from the waist to pick up objects on the floor. Do not lift any heavy objects. You can walk, climb stairs, and do light household chores. In most cases, healing will be complete within eight weeks.
Your doctor will schedule exams to check on your progress. The day after surgery, the surgeon will ensure that the eye is healing properly. Subsequent follow up visits at one week and one month are done in our office or by the surgeon if more convenient.
At Dr. Davis Your Vision Source Provider, we’re passionate about caring for the health of your eyes. Call or schedule an appointment online, and let us help you protect your vision.