Cataracts

What is a Cataract?

Cataracts are a common cause of poor vision among adults, particularly for the elderly. More than 1.4 million people have cataract surgery in the United States every year.

A cataract is a clouding of the clear lens of the eye. When the lens becomes cloudy, it interferes with the passage of light through the eye, resulting in a decrease in vision. The lens is contained in a sealed capsular bag. As old cells die, they become trapped inside the capsule. The accumulation of these cells causes the lens to cloud, resulting in blurred vision. Most cataracts are related to the natural aging process of the eye. Other causes include radiation, diabetes, systemic diseases, ocular injury or certain medications. Often, a cataract covers only a small part of the lens. If sight is not greatly impaired, there is not need to remove the cataract. However, if a large portion of the lens becomes cloudy, sight can be partially or completely lost until the cataract is removed.

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Misconceptions About Cataracts

There are many misconceptions about cataracts. For instance, a cataract is not a tumor or new growth of skin or tissue over the eye. Cataracts do not spread from eye to eye, though they may develop in both eyes at the same time. A cataract is not a film visible on the outside of the eye. It is not caused from overuse of the eyes, and using the eye does not make the cataract worse. Cataracts are not related to cancer, and having a cataract does not mean you will be permanently blind.

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Symptoms of Cataracts

If you have cataracts you may not realize it right away. Your vision loss may be gradual, painless and hard to detect until significant loss has occurred. Your vision may become blurry or hazy, and you may have difficulty reading fine print or threading needles. Some people report the feeling of a film covering their eye. Others experience vision problems at night. There is no complete medical or nutritional method of clearing up the cataract. A complete examination at Gailey Eye Clinic will indicate whether a cataract is your problem and if a simple change in your glasses will suffice to permit you to do the things important to you. If nothing else can be done to improve your vision, the Gailey Eye Clinic physicians will discuss with you your options -- including cataract surgery. Your well-being is our primary concern -- we are willing to do whatever we can to keep you seeing as well as you need to.

You have probably experienced a few symptoms of having a cataract. Some of the more common symptoms:

• Blurred Vision
• Glare
• Fading or Yellowing of Colors
• Frequent Eyeglass Prescription Changes
• Poor Night Vision
• Halos Around Lights
• Double Vision in One Eye

The rate at which a cataract progresses varies with the individual. Surgical removal of the cataract is recommended when vision problems due to cataract formation sufficiently interferes with your daily activities.

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How Can a Cataract be Treated?

The cataract may need no treatment at all if the vision is only a little blurry. A change in your eyeglass prescription may improve vision for a while.

There are no medications, eye drops, exercises or glasses that will cause cataracts to disappear once they have formed. When you are not able to see well enough to do the things you like to do, cataract surgery should be considered. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract.

Cataracts cannot be removed with a laser, only through a surgical incision. In cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed from the eye. In most cases, the focusing power of the natural lens is restored by replacing it with a permanent intraocular lens implant.

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What Can I Expect if I Decide to Have Surgery by the Gailey Eye Clinic general physicians?

Before Surgery

Once you and the Gailey Eye Clinic general physicians have decided that you will have your cataract removed, a physical examination is necessary so that he may be alerted to any special medical risks. Ask the Gailey Eye Clinic general physicians if you should continue your usual medications.

Your eye will be measured to determine the proper power of the intraocular lens that will be placed in your eye during surgery.

The Day of Surgery

Surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis. You may be asked to skip breakfast, depending on the time of your surgery. Upon arrival for surgery, you will be given eye drops, and perhaps medications to help you relax.

A local or topical anesthetic will make the operation painless. Though you may see light and movement, you will not be able to see the surgery while it is happening, and will not have to worry about keeping your eye open or closed.

The skin around your eye will be thoroughly cleansed, and sterile coverings will be placed around your head. At this time, there are no lasers, drops, or medications to treat, reduce, or eliminate a cataract. Surgery is the only effective way to remove the cloudy lens. The Gailey Eye Clinic physicians use the most modern technique, which is no-stitch cataract surgery. This procedure involves removing the cataract through a small, tunnel-like corneal incision with a tiny ultrasonic probe. This technique is called phacoemulsification. The natural outward pressure within the eye allows the micro-tunnel incision to self-seal. This technique reduces the chance of developing astigmatism (distorted vision), because no sutures are used that can alter the shape of the cornea. After the cataract is removed and the lens capsule left behind, a foldable intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted through the three millimeter corneal incision. You will be given a local anesthetic or topical anesthetic which will numb the eye and therefore, you will be comfortable. Many patients report improved vision within the first few hours after surgery. You may go back to your routine activities the very next day. When the operation is over, the Gailey Eye Clinic physicians will decide whether a patch is necessary.

After a short stay in the outpatient recovery area, you will be ready to go home. You should plan to have someone else drive you home.

Following Surgery

• Use the eye drops as prescribed;
• Be careful not to rub or press on your eye;
• Use over-the-counter pain medicine if necessary;
• Avoid very strenuous activities the first 24 hours;
• Continue normal daily activities and moderate exercise;
• Ask the Gailey Eye Clinic general physicians when you can begin driving;
• Wear eyeglasses or shield as advised by the Gailey Eye Clinic general physicians.

There is no known prevention for cataracts, but permanent loss of sight is usually preventable because modern cataract treatment is highly successful. Over 98% of patients who undergo surgery regain useful vision. It is important to understand that complications can occur. As with any surgery, a good result cannot be guaranteed.

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The YAG Laser

Contrary to popular belief, the YAG laser is never used for cataract removal. While this laser does not remove cataracts, it is quite effective in performing certain types of eye operations without opening the eye.

At Gailey Eye Clinic, the physicians frequently uses the YAG laser to treat after-cataracts, which can occur months or years after a cataract is removed. The YAG laser makes it possible to restore good vision by opening the membranes rapidly, without pain, and without hospitalization. The procedure is painless and takes only a few minutes. You can resume normal activities immediately and your vision will usually continue to improve in the following days and weeks.

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