310.855.1112 Home | Forms | Contact CATARACTS Cataracts Quick Statistics Approximately 5 million people have their vision affected by cataracts in the U.S. More than half of Americans 80 years old or older have a cataract Age-related cataracts account for 48% of world’s blindness Cataracts are the world’s leading cause of blindness What are cataracts? A cataract is cloudiness in the lens of the eye. This clouding obstructs the passage of light to the retina and makes objects appear blurry. Most cataracts are associated with aging and cataracts tend to worsen over time. Some common symptoms of cataracts include but are not limited to blurred vision, the appearance of halos around lights, and diminished night vision. In addition to cataracts associated with aging, there are other forms of cataracts: Secondary cataract- These types of cataracts occur as a result of another condition or event. For example, diabetes has been observed to increase the risk of developing a cataract. Other risk factors include steroid use, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Traumatic cataract- These cataracts develop after an eye injury or a traumatic event to the eye. Congenital cataract- Congenital cataracts describe the presence of cataracts at birth or early in childhood. Usually, these cataracts may be so small that they do not affect vision. Radiation cataract- These cataracts develop after frequent and prolonged exposure to radiation. What causes cataracts? The lens lies behind the iris and the pupil and functions similar to how the lens of a camera works. Its main functions are to focus light onto the retina in the back of the eye and adjust the eye's focus. The lens of the eye is mainly made of water and protein. These components are arranged in a way that keeps the lens clear and allows the passage of light. However, the proteins within the lens have the tendency to clump and cloud parts of the lens as we age. As clumps start to grow and new clumps start to form on the lens, an individual may experience more difficulty seeing. In addition to aging, it is suspected that the development of cataracts is associated with smoking. Who is at risk for cataracts? Those who are most at risk for cataracts include: People with diabetes People with a family history of cataracts People who smoke or consume alcohol regularly People who regularly are exposed to sunlight without protection The elderly (60 years or older) How are cataracts diagnosed? Cataracts should be diagnosed by a qualified professional. There are several ways that an ophthalmologist can determine whether an individual has cataracts or not. Typically, an ophthalmologist will perform a visual acuity test (eye chart) which will evaluate how well you see at various distances and a slit lamp exam which will allow your ophthalmologist to examine your eye under magnification. Your ophthalmologist may also perform a dilated eye examination. Eyedrops will be applied to your eyes to widen your pupils. Then, your ophthalmologist will examine your eye(s) to check for any irregularities in the eye. Additionally, tonometry may be performed to measure the pressure inside your eye. Are cataracts life-threatening? Cataracts are not life-threatening. Cataracts only directly affect vision. How are cataracts treated? Early symptoms of cataract can be improved with eyeglasses, better lighting, or sunglasses. However, if the cataract is advanced, surgery to remove the affected lens and exchange it with an artificial lens may be necessary. Your ophthalmologist will recommend surgery when a cataract impairs your vision to the point where it interferes with your everyday activities, such as driving or reading. Delaying cataract surgery will most likely not cause long-term damage to your vision or create complications during surgery. In fact, even if you and your eye care specialist decide on surgery, you may not need it for several years. There also is a chance that you might never need surgery. By having your vision tested regularly, you and your eye care professional can determine if you need treatment. If you and your eye care specialist do decide on surgery, there are basically two types of cataract surgery that can be performed: Phacoemulsification (small incision)- Most cataract surgeries are done using this procedure. For this procedure, a small incision is made on the side of the cornea. A small probe is then inserted in the eye. This probe then emits ultrasound waves that are capable of breaking up the lens. The fragments of the lens are then removed by suction. After the fragments have been removed, an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted. No stitching is required, the IOL will stay in place. Following this, saline solution is added to the eye to bring the pressure of the eye up to its normal levels. Phacoemulsification requires only local anesthesia. In most cases, phacoemulsification lasts approximately 15 minutes. After surgery, the patient experiences minimal discomfort and visual rehabilitation takes about 1-3 weeks. Extracapsular surgery- This procedure is typically used for patients with a strong, rigid lens. For this procedure, a longer incision (8mm to 10mm) is made on the side of the cornea. The cataract is then removed as a whole. After the lens has been removed, it is replaced by an IOL. The incision that was made on the eye is then sutured shut. Vision is rehabilitated between 2-4 weeks after the surgery. Intracapsular surgery- This procedure requires an even larger incision than extracapsular surgery. The entire lens and the surrounding capsule are removed. Then, unlike phacoemulsification and extracapsular surgery, the IOL is placed in front of the iris. Though this procedure is seldom used, it has shown to be helpful in cases involving eye trauma. If you have cataracts in both eyes that require surgery, the surgery will be performed on each eye at separate times, usually four to eight weeks apart. Can cataracts be prevented? There are several measures people can take to prevent or delay the formation of cataracts. Staying healthy will decrease the risk of diabetes and consequently decrease the likelihood of developing a cataract. Abstaining from tobacco and alcohol use and decreasing the consumption of corticosteroids can also decrease the risk of developing cataracts. To reduce the risk of radiation cataracts, individuals should protect their eyes from ultraviolet rays from the sun by wearing sunglasses with adequate UV protection. Pregnant women should understand that their child may be faced with an increased risk of developing cataracts if they contract German measles during their pregnancy. To reduce this risk it is recommended that a woman receives the German measles vaccine at least three months prior to becoming pregnant. Studies have shown that a diet rich in lutein and zeaxanthin are less likely to develop cataracts than those who do not consume lutein and zeaxanthin rich foods. Foods that contain high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin include green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli. Citations: www.jsei.org www.nei.nih.gov Glaucoma Institute Of Beverly Hills Copyright © 2008 This website is designed to provide general information about vision, vision care and vision correction. It is not intended to provide medical advice. If you suspect that you have a vision problem or a condition that requires attention, consult an eyecare professional for advice on the treatment of your own specific condition and for your own particular needs.