Cataracts
Impaired Vision Due To Cataracts
Cataracts are the most common cause of vision problems among adults. A normal part of the aging process, cataracts produce some vision loss in 80% of those over the age of 60. The naturally soft, transparent and clear lens of the eye becomes harder and progressively cloudy.
How Cataracts Affect Your Sight
The cataract, or "cloudiness" interferes with the light rays that should focus on the retina. A cataract is not a growth or a film that covers the eye. Once removed, cataracts do not grow back. As a cataract develops
- Vision may become increasingly blurred
- Color brightness may be lost
- Glare or halos may surround car headlights at night
- A feeling that a film is in front of the eye may occur
- Cleaning or getting new glasses usually does not correct the fuzzy or hazy vision
Deciding On Cataract Surgery
Presently there are no proven ways to prevent cataracts. The only way to restore vision is the microsurgical removal of a cataract. Diet is not a treatment for cataracts, nor is there medication or eye drops that treat cataracts.
Decreasing vision that interferes with your daily activities indicates your need for cataract surgery. Today, there is little reason for a person with cataracts to change their lifestyle or give up activities such as- Driving a car, particularly at night
- Sewing or other detail work
- Reading
- Watching television
Cataract Microsurgery
Cataract surgery done by Dr. Williamson and Dr. Kidd is done at our Advanced Surgery Center. The nurses are friendly and caring, and will attend to your needs during your short stay. Prior to surgery, you will be given medication to help you relax, and drops of medication will be placed in your eye. Your eye will be completely numb and you should experience no pain during the surgery, which takes approximately 10 minutes to perform.Cataract removal is performed with the aid of a high powered microscope and delicate miniaturized instruments. The cataract is emulsified and gently suctioned out.
The Intraocular Lens (IOL)
The most advanced technology in intraocular lens implants is the soft, foldable IOL and small incision hard plastic IOLs. They are inserted through a 1/8 or 1/4 inch incision that heals with no stitch. These implants are permanent, require no maintenance, and produce clear, undistorted vision.
Modern Cataract Surgery is:
- One of the safest types of surgery
- Performed on almost one and a half million people each year in the United States
- Extremely successful in significantly restoring vision
