What causes cataracts?

Cataracts are a degenerative form of eye disease in which the lens gradually becomes opaque and vision mists over. While cataracts can occur as the result of other eye diseases, they mostly develop due to age. In fact, it is believed that everyone would have cataracts if we lived long enough. Currently, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness among adults in the world.



How is cataract diagnosed?

All that is needed to find a cataract is a regular eye exam. Your eye care specialist can detect the presence and extent of your lens opacity as well as any other condition that may be causing blurred vision or discomfort. You will be asked to read a chart to see how sharp your vision is. Your pupils may be enlarged with eye drops so that the inside of your eyes can be examined.



When should cataract surgery be considered?

Based on your symptoms, you and your opthalmologist should decide together when surgery is indicated. If your loss of visual acuity interferes with your daily activities, cataract surgery should be considered. Your doctor will discuss the options with you before choosing the best kind of cataract removal and lens replacement for you.



What you should know about surgery?

If you have a cataract in both eyes, experts recommend that you wait until your first eye healy before having surgery on the second eye. As with any procedure, your doctor and you should thoroughly discuss the pros and cons before you make a decision.
Cataract surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia as an out-patient procedure. The cloudy lens is removed from the eye, and the focusing power of the natural lens is restored by replacing it with a permanent artificial lens, an intraocular lens (IOL) implant.
Modern microsurgical techniques are used to gently remove the cataract and implant the artificial lens in your eye. The operation requires only a few minutes; you may begin using your eye within a few hours and return to your normal lifestyle within a few days of the operation. However, as with any surgical procedure, complications may occur, although most are not permanent and can be corrected.