Cataracts
Having cataracts can often be compared to looking out of a cloudy window or frosted surface—interfering with every aspect of your vision and making things like reading and driving a car difficult. But luckily, this condition can be treated.
Overview
What are cataracts?
Each year, cataracts affect millions of people, including more than half of all Americans aged 60 and older. A cataract is a painless clouding of the eye‘s natural lens that is caused by a buildup of protein. A cataract can form in one or both eyes. If left untreated, cataracts worsen over time and interfere with everyday activities such as reading or driving. Night vision is usually most affected. When cataracts are in their early stages, people are helped by brighter lighting. As cataracts get worse, however, most people require surgery.
What are the different types of cataracts?
There are several different types of cataracts — the most common are nuclear sclerotic cataracts, cortical cataracts, and posterior subcapsular cataracts. Each type has its own set of unique symptoms and treatment options.
Nuclear sclerotic cataracts
- The most common form of cataracts, this condition begins at the center of the lens and progresses slowly, developing over the years.
- With time, the lens of your eye becomes cloudy and yellow/brown.
Cortical cataracts
- People with diabetes (type 1 and 2) are at higher risk of developing this type of cataract, which starts at the outer layer of the lens and moves inwards.
Posterior subcapsular cataracts
- The type of cataracts develops swiftly on the back surface of the lens typically over the course of months rather than years.
- People with diabetes (type 1 and 2) and high nearsightedness are at higher risk., with rapid reduction in reading vision, bright light vision and increased glare/halos at night.
Make an appointment with your doctor
The best way to catch cataracts early and prevent long-term damage is to call your doctor at the first sign of any symptoms. Annual eye exams are also a great way to ensure your eyes are in tip-top shape.
If you develop sudden vision changes, such as double vision or flashes of light, sudden eye pain, or sudden headache, see your doctor right away.
In most cases cataracts are age-related, so if you’re between the ages of 40 and 60 and start developing symptoms, visit your provider.
Symptoms
What are the Most Common Symptoms of Cataracts?
Common cataract symptoms include:
- Blurry, cloudy or hazy vision
- Colors that appear faded or less vibrant
- Increased sensitivity to glare
- Halos around headlights or lights at night
- Difficulty driving at night
- Frequent changes to your glasses prescription
- Needing brighter light to read
- Double vision in one eye
Cataracts tend to progress slowly and will not affect your vision until later on. However, recognizing the signs and symptoms of cataracts early will allow you to start treatment and prevent any future damage.
Double Vision
When multiple images appear when there should only be one
Clouded Sight
The feeling of looking out of a foggy window or glass
Light Sensitivity
When the light level appears too bright and causes discomfort
Color changes in your vision
Yellowing of the lens in the eye during cataract formation can change your color perception
Diagnosis
How are cataracts diagnosed?
Most cataracts can be identified with a routine eye exam. Your eye doctor will test your vision, ask a series of medical history questions, and examine your eyes with a slit lamp microscope to look for problems with the lens and other parts of the eye.
What Questions Will My Eye Doctor Ask During a Cataract Evaluation?
Do you drive frequently at night? Spend hours on a computer? Read without glasses? Have astigmatism? Play sports? Would you prefer the sharpest possible distance vision, or is reducing your dependence on glasses across several distances more important?
Your answers help your cataract surgeon recommend the lens technology that best matches your eyes, lifestyle, and vision goals.
Treatment & Prevention
How Is Cataract Surgery Performed?
During cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist removes the eye’s cloudy natural lens and replaces it with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens, or IOL.
Before surgery, your ophthalmologist takes detailed measurements of your eyes to determine the appropriate lens power. But cataract surgery today can involve more than simply removing the cataract. Your IOL choice can also affect how you see after surgery and how often you may need glasses.
Choosing a Lens for Cataract Surgery
Not every cataract lens is the same. Depending on your eye health, prescription, astigmatism, lifestyle, and vision goals, you may have several options.
Monofocal Cataract Lens
A standard monofocal IOL generally provides clear vision at one primary distance, most commonly distance vision. Patients may still need glasses for reading, computer work, or other distances after surgery.
Toric Lenses for Astigmatism
If you have astigmatism, a toric intraocular lens may be used to correct some or all of that astigmatism during cataract surgery. Toric IOLs are specifically designed to address the irregular curvature that causes astigmatism.
Premium and Advanced Technology Lenses for Cataract Surgery
For patients who want to reduce their dependence on glasses after cataract surgery, advanced technology or premium cataract lenses may provide a broader range of vision.
Options may include multifocal, trifocal, or extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses, depending on your eyes and individual needs. EDOF lenses are designed to extend the range of clear vision beyond what is typically provided by a traditional monofocal lens, while multifocal and trifocal technologies may provide vision across multiple distances.
Some advanced lenses are also available with astigmatism correction.
Which Cataract Lens is Best for Me?
There is no single cataract lens that is best for everyone.
Your ophthalmologist will evaluate your eye health and take detailed measurements of your eyes. Just as importantly, we will talk with you about how you use your vision every day.
Can Cataract Surgery Reduce My Need for Glasses?
For many patients, yes.
One of the most important decisions before cataract surgery is how you would like to see afterward. Some people are comfortable wearing reading glasses and primarily want clear distance vision. Others would like greater freedom from glasses for activities such as:
- Driving
- Using a computer
- Looking at a phone
- Reading
- Playing golf or other sports
- Traveling
- Working
- Everyday activities
Advanced technology IOLs can reduce dependence on glasses for appropriate candidates, although no cataract lens can guarantee that you will never need glasses again.
How can cataracts be prevented?
While no studies have proven how to prevent cataracts, these strategies have been shown to be helpful.