A cataract is when the natural lens of the eye deteriorates; usually starting at the age of 40 and the natural lens loses its flexibility. This reduces the ability to change focus from near to intermediate, to distance and back again. This is known as presbyopia or loss of accommodation and is part of the normal aging process of the eyes.
How do Cataracts develop?
The development of cataracts varies from person to person. As a general rule, most cataracts develop slowly over time, from months to years, before they mature to where they start affecting one’s vision and interfering in daily activities. Cataracts are a normal part of the aging process. In the case of a traumatic cataract, or an injury that damages the lens, and results in a rapid clouding of the lens.
Most common symptoms are:
- Blurry hazy vision
- Glare causing difficulty driving
- Reading and frequent changes in eyeglass prescription
- Dull colors
- Advanced age
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Family history
- Trauma
- Steroid use
- Over exposure to sunlight without UV protection
Observation of the cataracts if they are not interfering with daily activities. Removal of cataract by surgery is the only definite treatment.
Procedure
Phacoemulsification is the most common and standard surgery with intraocular lens implantation.
Phaco uses ultrasound energy to break the cataract and then shell it out of the eye. An intraocular lens implant is placed in most people.
There are different types of implants that are used:
- Single vision implants
- The recently FDA approved ReZoom™s™ which helps patients focus at different distances and decreases their need for wearing reading glasses. Most patients recover quickly and are able to resume their daily activities in a week or so.
Once diagnosed with cataracts, patients should inquire whether they are a candidate for the ReZoom™ lens implant. Surgical procedure remains the same however; the patient can opt for the monofocal, or single vision lens, or chose the ReZoom™ lens which in the long run shows a 90% decrease of dependency on glasses after surgery. Most patients resume their activities the next day with very few limitations.
