Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a cataract?
A: A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear and transparent lens of the eye which lies behind the pupil. When the lens becomes cloudy from age, injury or a birth defect, less focused light reaches the interior of the eye and vision gradually fails. Cataracts may take years to form, or they may worsen rapidly over a few months. A cataract is the most common cause of poor vision that cannot be corrected by glasses.
Q: What causes cataracts?
A: Cataracts are due to aging of the proteins in the lens. This usually begins about the age of sixty, but may occur in the forties or may not appear until age ninety. Other possible causes for cataract development include smoking, diabetes and protein fluctuations in the lens that are a normal part of the body's aging process. Anyone who lives long enough will develop cataracts.
Q: What are the symptoms associated with cataracts?
A: Symptoms of cataracts range from a barely noticeable loss of vision to virtual blindness.
People with cataracts often experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Blurred or hazy vision (Like looking through a cloudy piece of glass or viewing an impressionist painting.)
- 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. Colors may not appear as bright as they once did.
- Loss of contrast
- Poor distance vision
Q: Are there different types of cataracts
A: Yes.
- Age Related Cataracts - occurs when protein clusters up in the lens and causes cloudiness or from the discoloration of the lens from aging
- Secondary cataract - may form due to other eye diseases such as glaucoma or diabetes
- Traumatic cataract - forms after an eye injury
- Congenital cataract - present at birth due to birth defects, diseases, or other problems
- Radiation cataract - forms after major exposure to radiation
Q: When to have surgery?
A: Surgery is the only effective way to remove a cataract. When cataracts cause enough loss of sight to interfere with your work or lifestyle it is time to remove them.
The statements below may apply to you and should be discussed with your eye care professional:
- I need to drive, but there is too much glare from the sun or headlights.
- I do not see well enough to do my best at work.
- I do not see well enough to do the things I need to do at home.
- I do not see well enough to do things I like to do (for example, read, watch TV, sew, hike, play cards, go out with friends.)
- I am afraid I will bump into something or fall.
- Because of my cataract, I am not as independent as I would like to be.
- My glasses do not help me see well enough.
- My eyesight bothers me a lot.
You and your eye care professional should decide when surgery is desirable.
Q: When to seek medical care?
A: When signs and symptoms are evident (eg, cloudy or blurry vision, poor night vision, frequent changes in eyeglasses), your eyes should be examined by your eye care professional.
Q: How are cataracts evaluated?
A: Cataracts can only be detected by having a comprehensive eye examination with your eye care professional. A comprehensive eye exam usually includes the following:
- Visual acuity test - An eye chart test that measures your sight at various distances
- Pupil dilation - Widening of the pupil with eyedrops to allow your eye care professional to examine more of the lens and the retina as well as to look for other eye problems
- Tonometry - A standard test to measure fluid pressure inside the eye (Increased pressure may be a sign of glaucoma.)
Q: What is cataract surgery?
A: Cataract surgery consists of removing the natural lens in the eye and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The IOL replaces the natural lens that has been removed because it was cloudy and thus gives you better vision.
Q: What is an IOL?
A: A lens implant (intraocular lens or IOL) is a man-made, clear plastic lens approximately 6 millimeters in diameter which is placed inside the eye at the time the cataract is removed. It replaces the natural lens and remains permanently within the eye. The lens has small spring-like arms called haptics that prevent the lens from moving out of place.
Q: Is cataract surgery a laser surgery?
A: No, cataract surgery is not done by laser, however YAG lasers are used in a later procedure to create a clear opening in the lens-containing membrane, if the membrane becomes cloudy in the months following the original cataract removal. Some eye care professionals also use a laser to break up the cloudy lens before removing it.
Some benefits of cataract surgery include improved vision to perform the following:
- Everyday activities
- Driving
- Reading
- Working
- Moving Around
- Social activities
- Hobbies
- Safety
- Self-confidence
- Independence
Risks associated with cataract surgery: As with any surgical procedure, cataract surgery involves risks which include, but are not limited to:
- High pressure in the eye
- Blood collection inside the eye
- Infection inside the eye
- Artificial lens damage or dislocation
- Drooping eyelid
- Retinal detachment
- Severe bleeding inside the eye
- Swelling or clouding of the cornea
- Blindness
- Loss of the eye
The decision to have cataract surgery is always an individual one, and in each case, your eye care professional weighs the risk/benefit ratio with you to determine if cataract surgery is appropriate for you. Despite these rare complications, cataract surgery is one of the most successful of all eye surgeries.
Q: Will I still need to wear glasses after cataract surgery?
A: As with refractive surgery, we try to reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses after cataract surgery. We use computers to help calculate the power of your intraocular lens so that the glasses you wear after surgery will usually be thinner. Although many patients are able to function without glasses most patients will find that they need glasses for near vision or distance vision, or both after cataract surgery.
Q: How soon will I be able to resume normal activities after cataract surgery?
A: In most cases, patients are able to resume their normal activities within 48 hours after surgery.
Q: Can I prevent cataracts from forming?
A: At this time, there are no known methods of preventing cataracts.
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