What You Need to Know When Considering Cataract Surgery

• What Are Cataracts?
• What Are the Causes of Cataracts?
• What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?
• How Is Cataract Surgery Performed?

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are cloudy regions on the normally transparent lens of the eye. Sometimes, often as a result of age, the proteins in the lens that are normally spread thinly enough to allow light to pass through can clump together. When a protein clump becomes large enough to block the flow of light through the eye, a cataract is formed. Cataracts interfere with vision by distorting the pattern of light that is projected onto the retina, thus decreasing the quality and amount of visual data received by the brain. A cataract can develop in a single eye, though it is more common to have them develop simultaneously in both.

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What Are the Causes of Cataracts?

The most common cause of cataracts is aging, which is why the majority of people suffering from cataracts are 65 or older. Cataracts can, however, occur at any age. While research is still being done to determine the exact causes of cataracts, early studies have identified several probable risk factors. Many eye doctors believe that ultraviolet radiation plays a role in cataract development. Wearing sunglasses and wide brim hats can lessen your exposure. A specific kind of cataract called a traumatic cataract can develop as a result of an eye injury, even if the eye injury occurred several years earlier.

Cataracts are also more common in individuals who have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma. If you have been diagnosed with either of these diseases, or have suffered an eye injury, be sure to inform your eye doctor. Smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and steroid use have also been identified as factors related to an increased incidence of cataract development.

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What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

Depending on where the cataract is located on the lens, the symptoms for a cataract, particularly in its earliest stages, may vary. A nuclear cataract, for example, forms in the center of the lens. In the earliest stages of a nuclear cataract, many patients actually experience a temporary improvement in near vision. Known as “second sight,” this effect goes away as the cataract develops over time. This is why patients should always inform their eye doctor whenever they experience a significant alteration in the quality of their vision, either good or bad. As a cataract gradually increases in size, the most common course of the disorder is that your vision will become blurry, possibly giving rise to symptoms such as increased glare, fading or yellowing of colors, poor night vision, halos around lights, or double vision in one eye. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. In fact, cataracts are the most common cause of blindness worldwide.

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How Is Cataract Surgery Performed?

At Manhasset Eye Physicians, we use a small incision technique that allows for a quick recovery without the use of sutures. Ultrasound equipment is used to break apart the cataract material on the lens. This process is called phacoemulsification. The cataract material is then removed using suction. An IOL or intraocular lens is inserted as a replacement for the part of the lens that was just removed. The IOL bonds to the eye’s remaining natural lens material without stitches, and the incision heals naturally over time. Cataract surgery can usually be completed in a half hour or less, and with either general anesthesia or a local anesthetic the procedure is virtually painless. The surgery is an outpatient procedure.

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Make an Appointment to Discuss Your Cataract Surgery

It’s okay to take your time when considering whether or not you want to undergo cataract surgery. Before deciding one way or another it’s a good idea to consult a skilled eye surgeon for complete and detailed information on the pros and cons of the procedure. Contact the Manhasset Eye Physicians for more information on cataract surgery and IOLs. We can help.