Important Facts About Cataracts

Eye Health
Important Facts About Cataracts
American Academy of Ophthalmology
P.O. Box 7424, San Francisco, CA 94120

A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in the normally transparent lens of the eye. As the opacity thickens, it prevents light rays from passing through the lens and focusing on the retina, the light sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye.

Age-Related Cataract - as the body ages, the lens grows and adds layers, hardening and losing transparency.

Developmental Cataract can occur in children, and may be hereditary or associated with birth defect, or with no apparent cause.

Secondary Cataract may be caused by other eye diseases, chronic conditions, prolonged steroid use, or previous eye surgery.

Traumatic Cataract may be caused by eye injury. These may appear immediately after the injury, or develop later.

Almost everyone over age 75, and many people before that, starting at around age 50. Others with specific risk factors, such as eye trauma or other eye conditions (see "Types"above) may be likely to develop cataracts.

Symptoms include: sensitivity to light and glare, difficulty driving at night, dull color perception, vision distortion or "ghost" images, painless blurring or dimming of vision, frequent eyeglass prescription changes.

It is uncertain what can prevent the development of a cataract. Some steps which may help:

Regular eye exams by your Eye M.D. Your Eye M.D. is specially trained to detect many vision-threatening conditions even before you develop symptoms. The earlier problems are detected, the better the chance of preventing vision loss.

Protection from UV-A and UV-B rays. Some studies have suggested that prolonged or frequent exposure to UV-A and UV-B rays may be a factor in cataract and other eye conditions, so always wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100% of UV rays when outdoors.

If cataracts are not interfering with your lifestyle and the things you like to do, you may choose not to treat them. If you experience vision problems that affect your lifestyle, your Eye M.D. may suggest cataract surgery.
Cataracts can only be removed surgically, usually done on an outpatient basis, under topical and local anesthesia. When the cataract is removed, the surgeon will replace it with a plastic intraocular lens (IOL) implant. Stitches may or may not be used-if used, they will usually dissolve naturally.
Lasers are not currently used to remove or treat cataracts. In some cases, the area behind the IOL can become cloudy months or years after surgery. Your Eye M.D. can use a laser to create a clear area and improve vision.
As with any surgery, there is always the risk of complications, however Eye M.D.s agree that cataract surgery in the U.S. is a very safe operation.
Not only is it the most frequently performed surgery in the United Sates, cataract surgery is also one of the most successful. Over 90% of the people who have cataract surgery regain useful vision.