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Home | Eyecare | Eye Health | Cataracts
 More articles related to Cataracts
 SpotLight : Cataracts
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye. A cataract can be caused by a number of different factors including age (most commonly), certain drugs (e.g. Prednisone), injuries, radiation, systemic diseases ( e.g. diabetes) and they can also be congenital. The most common type of cataract is the age-related cataract. It is thought that age-related cataracts are caused by long-term exposure to sunlight but genetic factors definitely play a role in the development of cataracts. Another factor causing cataracts which has recently been identified is smoking. Smoking has been shown to significantly increase the risk of developing cataracts, especially at a younger age. So, here is one more reason to not smoke.
What symptoms do cataracts cause?
Your eye works a lot like a camera. Light rays focus through your lens on the retina, a layer of light sensitive cells at the back of the eye. Similar to film, the retina allows the image to be "seen" by the brain. But over time the lens can become cloudy and prevent light rays from passing clearly through the lens. This cloudy lens is called a cataract.
The typical symptom of cataract formation is a slow, progressive, and painless decrease in vision. Other changes include: blurring of vision; glare, particularly at night; frequent eyeglass prescription change; a decrease in color intensity; a yellowing of images; and in rare cases, double vision.
Ironically as the lens gets harder, farsighted or hyperopic people experience improved distance vision and are less dependent on glasses. However, nearsighted or myopic people become more nearsighted or myopic, causing distance vision to be worse. Some types of cataracts affect distance vision more than reading vision. Others affect reading vision more than distance vision.
When should I have my cataracts removed?
It is recommended that cataracts be removed when they begin to interfere with your normal daily activities. For example, if you are unable to drive safely because of cataract formation it would be wise to have them removed. Some patients may need cataracts removed for medical reasons; for example, if a patient is diabetic and the cataract is interfering with the ophthalmologist's examination of the retina, then it may be recommended to the patient to have the cataract removed.
How are cataracts removed?
Most cataracts are removed today using a method known as placoemulsification. This method utilizes a probe which is inserted into the eye and uses a high speed, ultrasonic tip to break the cataract up into very small pieces which are then vacuumed out of the eye through the same probe. The use of this probe has revolutionized cataract surgery so that it can be done through a very small (3 mm) incision. This incision is about one-fourth the size of the older type of cataract incisions. Because of this, the wound is self-sealing and most patients do not need a stitch to close the wound, thus the name "no-stitch" cataract surgery. Once the cataract is removed, an intraocular lens "implant" is placed into the eye in order to restore vision. Today's implants are made out of various materials. Some of these materials are pliable and thus the lens can be folded prior to implantation and then unfolded inside the eye. This is done to keep from enlarging the wound thus keeping the wound from needing a stitch.
What is an Intraocular Lens?
An intraocular lens (IOL) is a tiny, lightweight, clear plastic disk placed in the eye during cataract surgery. An IOL replaces the focusing power of the eye's natural lens.
The lens of the eye plays an important role in focusing images on the retina. If the lens loses its clarity, as it does when a cataract develops, light rays do not focus clearly and the image one sees is blurry. Glasses or contact lenses cannot sharpen vision if a cataract is present.
The only treatment for a cataract is to remove the lens and implant an IOL. Intraocular lenses have many advantages. Unlike contact lenses, which must be removed, cleaned, and reinserted, the IOL remains in the eye after surgery.
An IOL may be placed either in front of or behind the iris. Behind the iris is the most frequent placement site. They can be hard plastic, soft plastic or soft silicone. Soft, foldable lenses can be inserted through a small incision which shortens recovery time following surgery.
Rapid evolution of IOL designs, materials, and implant techniques have made them a safe and practical way to restore normal vision after cataract surgery.
What is a Posterior Capsulotomy?
A posterior capsulotomy is a surgical laser procedure that may be necessary after cataract surgery.
During cataract surgery part of the front (anterior) capsule that holds the lens is removed. The clear back (posterior) capsule remains intact. As long as that capsule stays clear one has good vision. But in 10 to 30% of people, the posterior capsule loses its clarity. When this happens, an opening can be made in the capsule with a laser (posterior capsulotomy) to restore normal vision.
Before the laser procedure, the ophthalmologist does a thorough ophthalmic examination to make sure there is no other reason for the vision loss.
A posterior capsulotomy is painless and takes five minutes. Eye pressure is taken either the day of or the day after the operation to make sure it is not elevated and anti-inflammatory drops are usually prescribed for three days following the procedure. Vision should improve within hours.
Potential but rare complications following laser posterior capsulotomy are increased intraocular pressure and retinal detachment.
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