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CATARACTS AND MODERN CATARACT SURGERY: More than fifty percent of people over the age of 60, and quite a few younger than that, suffer from cataracts. In fact, cataracts are so common that it is said that everyone will develop a cataract if they live long enough. A cataract is a progressive clouding of the eye's natural lens that interferes with light passing through to the retina. Sufferers usually describe the condition as being similar to looking through a waterfall, or a piece of wax paper, with a gradual blurring or dimming of vision.
Reading may become more difficult and driving a car can actually become dangerous because of the loss of depth perception as the cataract in one eye becomes worse than the other. Cataract sufferers may also be troubled by a bothersome glare, halos around lights, or even double vision. An as the cataract becomes worse, frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions may become necessary.
Currently there is no medical treatment to reverse or prevent the development of cataracts. Once they form, there is only one way to achieve clear vision again, and that is to physically remove the cataract from the eye.
MODERN CATARACT SURGERY: Today,the removal of the cataract is accompanied by the implantation of an artificial intraocular lens, the IOL, and is also frequently accompanied by the surgical correction of pre-existing astigmatism by changing the shape of the cornea during the cataract procedure.
In your parents' day or grandparents' day, cataract surgery was considered risky, requiring a lengthy hospital stay, and was usually postponed for as long as possible. Today, cataract surgery is performed on an out-patient basis and takes only a few minutes. Patients can then go home and rest in comfort and avoid the expense of staying in a hospital.
SELF SEALING INCISIONS WITH NO SHOTS AND NO STITCHES: Your cataract will be removed with an advanced technique called phacoemulsification, or small-incision cataract surgery. Using only a topical anesthetic (in eye drops), a special "stair-stepped" incision of one eighth inch in length is made just inside the edge of the clear cornea or at the edge of the sclera (the white part of the eye).
The cataract is then fragmented into microscopic particles using high energy sound waves and gently suctioned from the eye.
Then, to replace the lens which was destroyed by the cataract, an intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted into the eye. After using this special "stair-stepped" incision, the eye remains tightly sealed by the natural outward pressure within your eye and does not require stitches.
BENEFITS OF SELF-SEALING INCISIONS AND TOPICAL ANESTHESIA: Topical anesthesia and self-sealing incisions have taken cataract surgery to the next level. Many patients are able to see with clear vision much sooner after surgery. In most cases it is now possible to return to daily activities such as driving and reading almost immediately.
With "eye-drop" anesthesia, there is no need for a painful needle injection which delays vision restoration and could cause accidental damage to the optic nerve and permandnt loss of vision.
SUCCESSFUL CATARACT SURGERY: According to a survey conducted by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, more than 98% of cataract patients had their vision successfully inproved after surgery.
Many patients experience vision that is actually better than before they developed cataracts.
Once removed, cararacts will not grow back. The results of surgery are permanent, giving patients a lifetime of better vision.
WHEN SHOULD THE CATARACT BE REMOVED? It can take months or years for a cataract to develop. How do you know when it's time to have your cataract removed? The answer is quite simple. The time to have your cataract removed is when you feel your quality of life would be better if you could see better. Only you, in consultation with your ophthalmologist, can decide when your cataracts should be removed.
If you have any further questions regarding cataracts or cataract surgery, please consult your eye specialist.