WHAT IS A CATARACT?
The human eye is much like a camera. Your eye has a clear lens through which light passes for you to see. Like a camera, when the lens of the eye is cloudy, not as much light can pass through the lens. Clouding of the human eye lens is called a cataract. Cataracts cause a progressive, painless loss of vision.
WHAT CAUSES CATARACTS?
The lens clouds naturally as we age, so people over age 65 usually see a gradual reduction of vision. Cataracts can also be caused by complications of other diseases such as diabetes and glaucoma, side effects of certain medications, such as steroids, infection, trauma or hereditary disorders.
HOW DO I KNOW IF A CATARACT IS DEVELOPING?
One of the first noticeable symptoms of cataracts is a bothersome glare that makes night driving difficult. Other symptoms include halos around lights, light sensitivity, double vision in one eye or temporarily improved near vision.
WHEN DO I NEED SURGERY?
Our Surgeons believe that when cataracts adversely affect the functional way a patient chooses to live, it is time for treatment.
ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CATARACTS?
Cataracts are classified as one of three types: nuclear, cortical or subcapsular.
A nuclear cataract is most commonly seen as it forms, due to aging changes The cataract appears in the center of the lens, and can bring about a temporary improvement in your near vision, called "second sight." Unfortunately, the improved vision is short lived and will disappear as the cataract worsens.
A cortical cataract gradually extends spokes from the outside of the lens to the center. Many diabetics develop cortical cataracts.
A subcapsular cataract begins at the back of the lens and may not produce any symptoms until the cataract is well developed. People with diabetes, high farsightedness, retinitis pigmentosa or taking high doses of steroids may develop a subcapsular cataract.
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