What is a cataract?

Normal Vision

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most cataracts are related to aging, but can also be caused by trauma, medication or drug use, or an inherited or acquired medical condition. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, nearly all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.

The lens is a clear part of the eye that helps to focus light, or an image, on the retina. The lens must be clear for the retina to receive a sharp image. If the lens is cloudy from a cataract, the image you see will be blurred. When a cataract is small, the cloudiness affects only a small part of the lens. You may not notice any changes in your vision. Cataracts tend to "grow" slowly, so vision gets worse gradually. Over time, the cloudy area in the lens may get larger, and the cataract may increase in size. Seeing may become more difficult. Your vision may get duller or blurrier.

The most common symptoms of a cataract?

Cataract

  • Cloudy or blurry vision.
  • Colors seem faded.
  • Glare. Headlights, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright. A halo may appear around lights.
  • Poor night vision.
  • Double vision or multiple images in one eye. (This symptom may clear as the cataract gets larger.)
  • Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses.

How is a cataract detected?

Cataract is detected through a comprehensive eye exam that includes a vision check and evaluation of the eye tissue with dilating eye drops.  Additional tests may be needed to determine the severity of a cataract.

How is a cataract treated?

The symptoms of early cataract may be improved with new eyeglasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses. 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. Prior to your surgery, you will need to select the type of lens implant you would like.

Lens Implant Options

Standard Lens Implants:

Standard lens implants are effective and inexpensive, however, they have no ability to focus or provide vision at more than one distance.  You would need to wear glasses to drive and/or to read most of the time with a standard lens implant.

Aspheric Lens Implants:

An Aspheric lens implant is specially designed to reduce glare and visual disturbances occasionally seen with standard lens implants.  These typically cost slightly more than a standard lens implant, so your insurance may not cover the entire cost of this lens.  If you are more demanding of your vision after surgery and want the best possible far vision, talk to your surgeon about this type of lens.

Accommodating Lens Implants:

An accommodating lens implant is one that can focus with your eye muscles. Just as a natural lens focused when we are young, an accommodating lens has the ability to shift position in the eye and change focus points. This often allows for very good distance AND near vision WITHOUT GLASSES. Because of the nature of this lens implant, there is an additional cost to you beyond what your insurance would normally pay. Typically this cost is $1500 - $2000 per eye. If you are interested in a lens implant that will minimize your need for glasses after surgery, ask about the Crystalens accommodating intraocular lens.

Multifocal Lens Implants:

A multifocal lens is just what it says, multifocal.  This means that the lens itself has more than one focus point in it.  This allows for vision at all distances, with less need for eyeglasses.  These work much like bifocal contact lenses do.  Again, due to the sophisticated design of these lenses, they are usually not fully covered by your insurance and will often cost $1500 - $2000 per eye extra.  If you would like to reduce your need for glasses after cataract surgery, a multifocal lens may be your best option. For more information about the lens implant choices you may have, please click here.

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 more than 90 percent of cases, people who have cataract surgery have better vision afterward.

What are the risks of cataract surgery?

As with any surgery, cataract surgery poses risks, such as infection and bleeding.  If you are considering cataract surgery, your surgeon will discuss these risks with you before you schedule your surgery.  In addition, you will be given a list of risks and benefits of cataract surgery to review.

What happens before surgery?

A week or two before surgery, your doctor will do some tests. These tests may include measuring the curve of the cornea and the size and shape of your eye. This information helps your doctor choose the right type of lens implant. You will start using eye medications 3 days prior to your surgery. You may be asked not to eat or drink anything 12 hours before your surgery.

What happens during surgery?

At the hospital 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 a half hour and is almost painless. Many people choose to stay awake during surgery. Others may need to be put to sleep for a short time. If you are awake, you will have an anesthetic to numb the nerves in and around your eye. After the operation, a patch may be placed over your eye. You will rest for a while. Your medical team will watch for any problems, such as bleeding. Most people who have cataract surgery can go home the same day. 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, your doctor can suggest treatment. After one or two days, moderate discomfort should disappear. For a few weeks after surgery, your doctor will ask you 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, 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.

When will my vision be normal again?

You can return quickly to many everyday activities, but your vision may be blurry. The healing eye needs time to adjust so that it can focus properly with the other eye, especially if the other eye has a cataract. Ask your doctor when you can resume driving.

The doctors at Consultative Eye Care are experienced cataract surgeons. We use the most accurate methods of determining your lens power, the most advanced surgical techniques, and the latest and most advanced lens implants to give you every opportunity to maximize your vision outcome after cataract surgery. You can be assured you will receive the best possible outcome when you trust your cataract surgery to Consultative Eye Care.