Cataracts

Definition

A cataract is the progressive clouding of the lens of the eye, which does not allow light to pass through to focus on the retina. This clouding is not a film over the eye or a cancer and, likewise, cannot be caused by overusing the eye. Cataracts will gradually blur or diminish vision. Symptoms of cataracts may include light sensitivity (i.e. glare or halo, the need for brighter light for reading, and poor night vision), frequent glasses prescription changes, double vision in one eye, and fading or yellowing of colors.

Causes

The most common type of cataract is related to the aging of the eye. Other causes of cataracts, especially in younger patients, may be associated with family/genetic history, medical problems or diseases, previous eye injury or eye surgery, medications such as steroids, and long-term, unprotected exposure to sunlight.

Occurrence

Cataracts are so common that everyone would develop one if he lives long enough. More than 50% of the population over the age of 60 have cataracts, as well as many younger people. Most cataracts develop gradually, over years (particularly in older people), but sometimes, especially in younger patients and those with diseases such as diabetes, cataracts can progress very rapidly over a period of months. Due to this growth variation, the rate a cataract will develop is impossible to predict but in most cases is quite slow.

Treatment

There currently is no medical treatment – lasers, medications, eye drops, exercises, glasses, etc. – to reverse or prevent cataract development; then again, depending on the extent of the growth, a cataract may need no treatment other than a change in glasses’ prescription.

When a patient decides that his/her vision is not satisfactory for his/her lifestyle, it may be time to surgically remove the cloudy lens (cataract) and replace it with a clear lens (implant). Incisional surgery is the only way to remove a cataract.

Modern cataract surgery is a quick out-patient procedure, using topical anesthetic eye drops. Through a small, self-sealing incision, the cloudy lens is broken up, suctioned out, and replaced with a clear intraocular lens. Ninety-five percent of all patients undergoing this new, "no-needle, no-stitch, small incision" procedure receive improved vision. Once removed, a cataract will not grow back; however, clouding of the thin tissue around the implanted intraocular lens may need laser treatment to completely restore clear vision.

If you have any comments or questions feel free to email us or call 920-327-7000 or 1-877-462-9465

Quick Links

Click the links below to learn more about some of the conditions Green Bay Eye Clinic physicians specialize in.

Cataracts

Blepharoplasty

Glaucoma

Extraocular Muscles

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

Retinal Detachment

Ocular Histoplasmosis

If there is a condition not listed here that you would like to be consulted about, contact us.