Eventually, a cataract can advance to the degree of the one shown in this person's right eye. A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. For people who have cataracts, seeing through cloudy lenses is a bit like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window.
Clouded vision caused by cataracts can make it more difficult to read, drive a car especially at night or see the expression on a friend's face. Most cataracts develop slowly and don't disturb your eyesight early on. But with time, cataracts will eventually interfere with your vision. At first, stronger lighting and eyeglasses can help you deal with cataracts. But if impaired vision interferes with your usual activities, you might need cataract surgery.
Fortunately, cataract surgery is generally a safe, effective procedure. At first, the cloudiness in your vision caused by a cataract may affect only a small part of the eye's lens and you may be unaware of any vision loss. As the cataract grows larger, it clouds more of your lens and distorts the light passing through the lens. This may lead to more-noticeable symptoms. Make an appointment for an eye exam if you notice any changes in your vision.
If you develop sudden vision changes, such as double vision or flashes of light, sudden eye pain, or sudden headache, see your doctor right away. Most cataracts develop when aging or injury changes the tissue that makes up the eye's lens. Proteins and fibers in the lens begin to break down, causing vision to become hazy or cloudy. Some inherited genetic disorders that cause other health problems can increase your risk of cataracts.
Cataracts can also be caused by other eye conditions, past eye surgery or medical conditions such as diabetes. Long-term use of steroid medications, too, can cause cataracts to develop.
A cataract is a cloudy lens. The lens is positioned behind the colored part of your eye iris. The lens focuses light that passes into your eye, producing clear, sharp images on the retina — the light-sensitive membrane in the eye that functions like the film in a camera. As you age, the lenses in your eyes become less flexible, less transparent and thicker. Age-related and other medical conditions cause proteins and fibers within the lenses to break down and clump together, clouding the lenses.
Key points to remember Not all cataracts need to be removed. It depends on how much they bother you. Many people get along very well without surgery by wearing contact lenses or glasses.
Poor eyesight caused by cataracts happens slowly over time, so you probably don't need to rush into having surgery. Most people who have cataract surgery see better after it. Serious problems from surgery aren't common.
Surgery removes the lens from your eye. The lens has to be replaced. If it can't be replaced, you'll wear thick glasses or contact lenses instead. You may still need to wear glasses or contacts after surgery to see well.
What is cataract surgery? This happens in one of two ways: During the surgery, the doctor places an artificial lens in your eye.
This is how most cataract surgery is done. Some people also need to wear glasses or contact lenses after surgery. In a few cases, the doctor can't replace the lens. If that happens, you'll wear thick glasses or contact lenses instead. How well does cataract surgery work? Cataract surgery usually works very well. What are the risks of cataract surgery?
Cloudy vision sometimes comes back The most common problem after surgery is a gradual return of cloudy vision several months or years after surgery. Serious problems aren't common Out of people who have this surgery, fewer than 10 have serious problems.
Serious problems that can happen include: Swelling of the retina or cornea. This may cause blurry vision that often goes away on its own. If it doesn't, more treatment may be needed. New or different astigmatism, which can usually be treated with glasses or contact lenses. Infection in the eye. A very serious infection called endophthalmitis can lead to blindness. This type of infection is rare. Other eye infections, such as uveitis , may affect your vision until you get treatment.
Problems caused by bits of the cataract left behind. Your doctor may need to do surgery to remove these bits and improve your vision. Retinal detachment. After you have had cataract surgery, your risk for retinal detachment is higher than normal.
What are the risks of not having cataract surgery? Usually, a cataract that isn't removed will slowly get worse and make your eyesight worse: You may no longer be able to do your usual daily activities. You may not be able to drive safely, especially at night. You may be more likely to fall or hurt yourself. Why might your doctor recommend cataract surgery? Your doctor might recommend surgery if: Poor eyesight is affecting your ability to do your job or take part in some leisure or social activities.
Surgery would help your doctor keep track of another eye problem, such as a problem with your retina. You do not have glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or macular degeneration. Surgery may not improve eyesight in people who also have these eye problems.
Compare your options. Compare Option 1 Have cataract surgery Wait and see. Compare Option 2 Have cataract surgery Wait and see. Have cataract surgery Have cataract surgery You will probably be awake during the operation.
You may feel pressure, but you shouldn't feel pain. You will go home the same day. Surgery works well to restore poor eyesight caused by cataracts. Cataract surgery also improves eyesight for people who are nearsighted, are farsighted, or have astigmatism. Your vision may be cloudy for up to 3 months. This will go away as your eye heals. You may need laser surgery a few months or years later if your vision clouds up again. Serious problems are not common but include: Swelling of the retina.
New or different astigmatism. Infection of the eye tissues. You may still need glasses or contact lenses after surgery. Wait and see Wait and see You will decide when the cataract is affecting your vision and your life enough to have surgery. Your eyesight will continue to slowly get worse. You may have a slightly higher risk of problems from surgery if you wait to have surgery until your cataract is severe. Personal stories about cataract surgery These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers.
What matters most to you? Reasons to have cataract surgery Reasons to wait and see. My poor eyesight is affecting my ability to do my job. The common eye chart test that measures vision ability at many distances.
Pupil dilation. The pupil is widened with eye drops to allow a close-up exam of the eye's retina. In addition, other tests may be done to help your eye care professional learn more about the health and structure of your eye.
The symptoms of cataracts sometimes look like other conditions or medical problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. In its early stages, loss of eyesight caused by a cataract may be helped with the use of different eyeglasses, a magnifying glass, or stronger lighting.
When these actions are no longer helpful, surgery is the only effective treatment available. A cataract only needs to be removed when loss of eyesight gets in the way of your everyday activities, such as driving, reading, or watching TV. You and your eye healthcare provider can make that decision together. Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries.
It is also one of the safest and most effective. Surgery involves swapping out the cloudy lens with a new lens. If you have cataracts in both eyes, they are usually not taken out at the same time. Your eye healthcare provider will need to do the surgery on each eye separately.
Over time, cataracts will harm your vision. Cataract surgery can bring back your vision. However, a possible complication of cataract surgery is an "after-cataract. Unlike a cataract, an "after-cataract" can be treated with a method called YAG laser capsulotomy. The healthcare provider uses a laser beam to make a tiny hole in the cloudy membrane behind the lens to let the light pass through.
After-cataracts may develop months, or even years, after cataract surgery. You may experience halos around lights, multiple vision, and poor night vision. Colors may seem faded. In its early stages, vision loss caused by a cataract may be helped with the use of different eyeglasses, a magnifying glass, or stronger lighting. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What are cataracts? There are many types of cataracts: Age-related cataracts. The majority of cataracts are related to aging.
What causes cataracts? Although experts don't know for sure what causes cataracts, they think there could be several possible causes including: Smoking Diabetes Too much time in sunlight Steroid use Certain diuretic use Certain major tranquilizers For many of the possible causes, more research is needed to set apart the effect of the disease from the effect of the medicines.
Who is at risk for cataracts?
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