Cataract Surgery

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. The lens is located behind the iris (the colored part of the eye) and is involved in focusing images on the retina, the light-sensitive tissue in the back part the eye. In a young, healthy eye, this lens is clear and the image it creates on the retina is clear. This image is sent to the brain for processing into the image that we "see". If this lens is cloudy, as in the case of cataracts, the transferred image will be blurry. Cataracts are extremely common in the aged population, with more than half of Americans aged 80 or older either living with cataracts or having had cataract surgery in the past. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world. This is a troubling statistic because cataracts are treatable, thanks to the technology that is available today.

Age isn't the only factor in determining whether a person will develop cataracts.  Secondary cataracts can form after surgery to treat other eye diseases, such as glaucoma. Secondary cataracts have also been linked to diabetes and steroid use. Cataracts can develop in cancer patients who are treated with radiation therapy if the eye is in the radiation field.  Traumatic cataracts can appear after an injury to the eye. Congenital cataracts are present at birth and may be an inherited condition.

Once a cataract has formed, surgical removal of the clouded lens is the only way to fully restore a patient's vision. Different types of the cataracts can affect vision in different ways, but all of them are essentially treated the same way. Once the blurred lens has been removed, the surgeon replaces it with an artificial, intraocular lens (IOL). Cataract surgery is well tolerated and is done on an outpatient basis. Patients are able to return to their normal routine the following day and experience little to no pain associated with the surgery. Blurred vision can be expected as the eye goes through the healing process and itching or mild discomfort can also be associated with cataract surgery.

If you or a loved one has a vision disturbance caused by cataracts, schedule an examination with one of our Ophthalmologists. Our staff will thoroughly examine your eyes to find a solution to your vision problems. Don't let this easily treatable condition cost you your vision.