Eye Treatment
Cataract Symptom: Glare Eye Treatment
Glare, or sensitivity to light, is another symptom of cataracts. It can be difficult for a person with cataracts to see in bright sunlight. Indoor lights may begin to seem too bright, or they may appear to have halos around them. Glare from oncoming headlights can cause problems with driving at night.
Cataract Symptom: Double Vision
Diplopia, or double vision, when looking with one eye can be another symptom of cataracts. This is not the same as diplopia that arises from improper alignment of your eyes. The double vision seen with cataracts occurs even when you look through only one eye.
Cataract Symptom: Color Changes
Cataracts also affect color vision. Some colors may appear faded, and things may acquire a yellowish or brownish tint. This may not be noticed at first, but with time, distinguishing between blues and purples can be difficult.
Cataract Symptom: Second Sight
The phenomenon known as “second sight” is another characteristic of cataracts. In this situation, the cataract acts as a stronger lens, temporarily improving the ability to see things at a close distance. People who formerly needed reading glasses may no longer need them. However, as the cataract worsens over time, this temporary improvement in near vision disappears.
Cataract Symptom: New Prescription (Eye Treatment)
People with cataracts often need frequent changes in their eyeglasses or contact lenses because their vision deteriorates over time.
Who Can Get Cataracts?
Most cataracts occur in older people and are related to the aging process. Over half of Americans over 65 have cataracts. Sometimes, babies can be born with cataracts, known as congenital cataracts. Uncommonly, children can get cataracts as a result of illness or trauma to the eye.
What Are the Causes of Cataracts?
It is not precisely understood why people get cataracts. Aging is a known risk factor. Other factors that may also play a role in the development of cataracts include:
- Smoking
- Excessive use of alcohol
- Diabetes
- Trauma to the eyes
- Extended use of corticosteroids
- Prolonged radiation or sun exposure
How Are Cataracts Diagnosed?
Cataracts can be diagnosed with an eye exam. The eye exam contains a vision test and an examination of your eyes using a slit lamp microscope. The pupils are dilated with special eyedrops to provide a better view of the back of your eye, where the retina and optic nerve are located.
Cataract Surgery Eye Treatment
Surgery to remove cataracts may be required if the related vision loss cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy natural lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. The operation is usually done on an outpatient basis and is very safe and effective. For those who need surgery on both eyes, the surgery is usually done on one eye at a time.
Types of Cataract Surgery
The most common type of cataract surgery is known as phacoemulsification (phaco). In this procedure, the doctor makes a tiny incision in the eye and breaks up the lens using ultrasound waves. The lens is then taken out and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL).
Another type of cataract surgery is called extracapsular cataract surgery. This procedure involves a larger incision and removal of the cloudy lens in one piece. In most cases, placement of an IOL eliminates the need for thick eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Innovations In Cataract Surgery (Eye Treatment)
New developments in cataract surgery allow for procedures that correct both near and distance vision, reducing or even eliminating the need for glasses after the operation. Conventional “monofocal” lenses only correct distance vision, so people still need reading glasses after surgery. So-called “toric” implants are available to correct astigmatism. This picture illustrates a lens in development (shown next to a dime) that offers better color vision.
What to Expect After Cataract Surgery
After surgery, your eyes may itch and feel sensitive to light for a few days. You may need to wear a shield or glasses for protection, and you may be prescribed eyedrops to speed the healing process (Eye Treatment). It takes about 8 weeks for the eye to completely heal even though changes in vision are apparent shortly following the surgery. You may still need glasses for distance vision or reading, after the surgery, and it is likely that you will require a new prescription after your eye has healed.
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