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The Cataract Service

About Cataracts

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About Cataracts

What is a cataract?
A cataract, in simplest terms, is a clouding of the clear lens inside the eye. When that lens becomes cloudy or opaque, sharp vision is no longer possible. Cataracts are not contagious. They cannot spread beyond the lens nor harm any other parts of the body. Cataracts don’t spread from one eye to the other, but many people have cataracts in both eyes. Cataracts cannot be prevented nor can their progress be stopped or reversed.

Why does it occur?
Cataracts usually develop with age just like gray hair, however they may occur at any age. They are usually caused by a decrease in normal protein structures within the eye and there is no known way to prevent this from happening. Some factors that may contribute to their formation include: eye injury, exposure to radiation, long-term use of steroid medication, exposure to toxic substances, prolonged exposure to sunlight, and diseases like diabetes, glaucoma, high blood pressure, and kidney disease may also cause cataracts.

What are the symptoms?
There may be a pattern to the cataract's development. Initially you may notice a gradual decrease in your ability to see things clearly at a distance. This is followed by problems with reading and other activities requiring close vision. The most common symptoms include: blurred vision, a need for frequent changes in eyeglasses or contact lenses, trouble driving at night, sensitivity to bright light, glare, feeling like there is a “skim or fog” over your eyes, and a change in color vision where yellow, orange, and red appear brighter and blue appears dull. As a cataract becomes more opaque, vision at all distances is greatly impaired. Cataracts do not cause complete blindness, however it is possible to lose enough vision to be declared legally blind.

How is it diagnosed?
The symptoms of a cataract develop slowly and are painless. The condition may go unnoticed and undiagnosed for a long time. It is often first diagnosed during a routine eye exam.

How is it treated?
If a cataract is not interfering with your lifestyle or work, your doctor may recommend simply changing your glasses.

If the cataract is affecting your vision and cannot be helped with glasses, then you would need cataract surgery to remove the cloudy lens. Cataracts can only be removed surgically and cannot be removed with a laser; however, lasers can be used in their treatment after surgery.

Today, almost all cataract patients have their cataracts removed using a surgical technique called phacoemulsification. Our doctors were among the first in the region to pioneer this surgery that dissolves the cataract with a tiny instrument using sound waves, and removing it with a gentle suction in the tip.

Once the cataract is removed, a new lens must replace it. The most preferred lens replacement is a collamer or plastic intraocular lens implant (IOL). These implants come in prescriptions just like eyeglasses and contact lenses. They also come as a standard lens or a premium lens. The standard lenses focus at only one or two distances which often requires eyeglasses. The premium lenses like the Crystalens moves fluidly with the natural action of the eye’s muscle thus providing a full range of vision. For more information about cataract surgery at Carolina Eye Associates, please visit the Cataract Surgery page.

How do I know when it is time to have my cataracts removed?
Since surgery is the only way to correct vision loss from cataracts, it doesn’t need to be done until the cataract keeps you from doing the things you like to do. A farmer, a truck driver and a watchmaker all have different needs.
If you have Medicare, you need to meet special criteria if you want Medicare to cover your major expenses. Of course if the cataract is causing a threat to your eye, special considerations can be made. Basically, we advise patients to wait until the vision in the affected eye becomes so poor that it interferes with daily routines - such as driving or reading. So, the choice really comes down to what you want and when you're ready to have it done. Your lifestyle, your work habits, your personal well-being are the true deciding factors when choosing the right time for cataract surgery.

Can cataracts come back?
Once a cataract is removed it cannot come back. However in the future it is possible that the membrane that held your cataract in place may become cloudy. In fact, the symptoms are similar to a cataract in that things don't seem as clear or as bright as they should be. That is why this is sometimes referred to as "secondary cataracts."

This is very common, and is no cause for alarm. Your eye surgeon can quickly restore your sight in a few minutes using a laser. The important thing is that you should contact your eye doctor if you notice your vision starting to decrease.

A thin, clear capsule completely encloses the lens of the eye, kind of like the sugar coating over an "M & M" candy. When the naturally clear lens becomes opaque and cloudy, it is called a cataract. If the clear capsule becomes cloudy, it is sometimes called a "Secondary Cataract."

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Symptoms

• Decreased distance vision

• Decreased near vision

• Blurred vision

• A need for light

• Sensitivity to bright light & glare

• Sense of fog over eyes

• Color yellow appears brighter