A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens in the eye – over time, protein builds up on the lens causing cloudy vision.
Cataracts may result from many conditions including congenital defect, chronic eye disease, system-wide diseases (diabetes), or eye trauma, but by far the most common cause is simply ageing. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss among older Americans. By the time you are between 75 to 84 years of age, the probability of cataract development reaches nearly 90%.
In the initial stages of cataract development, you may not notice any vision change because it is small and they tend to grow slowly – so vision deteriorates slowly. Some people with a cataract find that their close-up vision suddenly improves, but this temporary effect dissipates as the cataract grows. Common symptoms are:
Vision is only restored once the cataract is surgically removed. Cataract surgery involves removing the natural clouded lens in the eye and inserting a synthetic intraocular lens (IOL) in its place. Today, this surgery is done on a routine basis. It is considered outpatient surgery and minimally invasive which means patients are typically admitted and discharged within a few hours. The actual procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes to complete and complications, if any, are rare and treatable.
There are many IOL choices available. You and your doctor will decide which IOL best suits your lifestyle.
In addition to IOL choices, we also offer bladeless cataract surgery, correction for astigmatism with the assistance of a laser, and offering the option of no drops following cataract surgery.
To determine if you are a candidate for cataract surgery, a full dilated eye exam will need to be performed. Please contact our office if you are having any cataract like symptoms.
