What are cataracts?

A cataract is a gradual clouding of the eye’s lens which will cause a loss of one's ability to see. Individual symptoms may vary depending on the degree of the cataract. They will, in most cases, increase over time making vision worse.

Various parts of the eye work together to catch focus and process light to make vision possible.  When the eye is open, light first passes through the cornea. The cornea takes a wide spectrum of light and sends it through the pupil. The light is then focused through the eye’s natural lens directly onto the retina. The lens changes shape to accommodate to bring objects at various distances into focus. Just as camera lens focuses images onto film, the lens of the eye does much of the same thing. Over time the lens of the eye loses flexibility making it harder to focus up close, making reading difficult. This process is called presbyopia. Presbyopia tends to occur between 40-50 years of age.

What causes Cataracts?

The most common cause of cataracts is biological aging and overexposure to ultraviolet light. The lens lies behind the iris and pupil and works to focus light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The rest of our eye structures work together to adjust and transmit images to the brain, which allows us to see objects and colors.

The lens is made of mostly water and proteins. The protein stays aligned in a way that the lens remains clear. As we age, this protein can clump together and become opaque. Much like trying to look through a foggy window, the clouding is what causes blurriness and difficulty seeing and is called a cataract.

While there is no guaranteed way to avoid cataracts, wearing eyewear and sunwear that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays can slow the onset as well as decrease the exposure to direct sunlight. People with cataracts commonly experience difficulty in appreciating colors and changes in contrast, driving, reading, recognizing faces, and coping with glare from bright lights.

How are cataracts treated?

Surgical removal of a natural lens is the only solution to correct a cataract. There are no known drugs or diets that will delay the development of a cataract. This depends on the severity of the cataract and most important how it is interfering with your ability to see. This will vary from patient to patient.

Cataract surgery is an elective surgery based on visual needs. There are two main indications for the removal of the natural lens:

1. When the lens becomes cloudy, called a cataract causing blurred vision.

2. When the patient wants to remove their lens to decrease their dependency on glasses or contact lenses.

The difference between these surgeries is: A cataract surgery is necessary for a patient to be able to see with the aid of glasses. A refractive lens exchange procedure is designed to remove a clear lens so you will be less dependent on glasses or contact lenses to see at distance and/or near.