My eyesight is changing-objects are more blurry, colors are more dim and I need more light.”
Contrary to popular belief, a cataract is not a "film" over the eye. It’s actually the clouding of the eye's natural lens.
Your eye doctor can confirm whether you are developing cataracts, but there are symptoms to watch out for. In the early stages, you may notice that you need stronger glasses or contact lenses, brighter lights or a magnifying glass to compensate for the change in your vision.
Later, you may develop other symptoms of cataracts:
If you have discomfort or pain with these symptoms, see your eye doctor immediately-it may be a sign of a more serious condition.
Advanced techniques and technologies make it safer and more effective than ever to treat cataracts. Modern cataract surgery can simultaneously correct cataracts and many other refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness,astigmatism and presbyopia. Some surgical options will even provide vision improvement at all distances without glasses or contact lenses.
During cataract surgery, the clouded natural lens is replaced with an advanced artificial lens called an intraocular lens or IOL.
The great news-95% of patients who choose a "standard" IOL regain distance vision that’s as good as their vision before cataracts. And those who choose specialized IOLs may even experience vision improvement beyond what they had before developing cataracts.
Cataracts can reduce quality of life even at early stages and can cause blindness if left untreated. So, talk with your eye doctor about which cataracts treatment is right for you.
Unlike other organs of the body, such as skin, the lens of the eye cannot shed old cells. Over time, cells build up, thickening the lens. Other changes in the cells of the lens cause proteins to clump together forming a cataract and making the lens cloudy.
Eventually, the cataract grows to the point that it distorts light as it’s passing through the lens, causing symptoms like blurry, dim and dull vision.
In their earliest stages, cataracts may cause such a gradual deterioration of vision that you don’t even notice. Therefore, it’s important to have annual vision check-ups to detect these changes so your glasses prescription can be adjusted and so you and your eye doctor can discuss treatment options.
Most people naturally develop cataracts over time, but about 1% of people with cataracts were born with them. It’s also possible acquire cataracts early through trauma, disease or the use of certain medications.
The following factors can cause or contribute to early development of cataracts:
Not sure what a particular term means? Click on words in bold to pull up the glossary tab.
Yes, there are several types of cataracts. Nuclear cataracts are the most common and usually form as a natural part of the aging process as cells from the lens deposit in the nucleus of the lens. Cortical cataracts are also fairly common and form when the shell, or cortex, of the lens becomes hard. Posterior or anterior subcapsular cataracts may form after trauma or with the use of corticosteroids.
Yes, there are several types of cataracts. Nuclear cataracts are the most common and usually form as a natural part of the aging process as cells from the lens deposit in the nucleus of the lens. Cortical cataracts are also fairly common and form when the shell, or cortex, of the lens becomes hard. Posterior or anterior subcapsular cataracts may form after trauma or with the use of corticosteroids.
Left untreated, cataracts will cause blindness. This process usually takes many years. Blindness from cataracts is usually reversible with cataract surgery. Cataract blindness is among the leading causes of blindness in the developing world.
Astigmatism
Common vision problem and type of refractive error. Caused by either irregularity in the curvature of the cornea or the lens of the eye. People with astigmatism generally have difficulty seeing fine details at all distances. Treated with corrective lenses, laser vision correction or toric IOLs.
Farsighted, farsightedness (or hyperopia)
Common vision problem and type of refractive error. Caused by too little curvature of the cornea or too little distance between the front of the eye and the retina at the back. Both structural defects cause light entering the eye to focus incorrectly on the retina, resulting in blurred close-up vision. Treated with corrective lenses, laser vision correction or multifocal or accommodative IOLs.
Glaucoma
Eye disease characterized by too much pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure). Can cause eye damage and vision loss. Symptoms may include halos around lights, tunnel vision and vision loss. Many patients have no symptoms until severe visual field loss has occurred. Treated with medications or sometimes eye surgery.
Intraocular lens (IOL)
Artificial lens made of plastic, silicone or acrylic. Designed to be implanted in the eye in place of or in front of the natural lens to improve focus and correct vision problems, such as cataracts and presbyopia.
Nearsighted, nearsightedness (or myopia)
Common vision problem and type of refractive error. Caused by either too much curvature of the cornea or too much distance between the front of the eye and the retina at the back. Both structural defects cause light entering the eye to focus incorrectly on the retina, resulting in blurred distance vision. Treated with corrective lenses, laser vision correction or multifocal or accommodative IOLs.
Presbyopia
Also called age-related focus dysfunction. Common vision problem that develops naturally over time. Characterized by loss of the eye's ability to focus at close distances or on fine details. Treated with reading glasses, contact lenses, presbyopia laser vision correction (also called LASIK monovision) or presbyopia lens replacement surgery.
Retinal detachment
Serious condition occurring when part of the retina lifts or pulls away from its natural position. may result in significant vision impairment or blindness in just a matter of days if left untreated.
Vitreoretinal surgery
Surgery involving the vitreous humor and the retina. Includes treating retinal tears and detachments, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, ocular trauma, ocular tumors, inflammatory ocular conditions, hereditary retinal diseases and a variety of less common, highly complex disorders.
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The Eye Surgery Education Council provides information and support to help patients and their families make an informed decision about the different types of vision surgery. Developed by members of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the ESEC is backed by the knowledge and expertise of some of the nation’s leading ophthalmologists.
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This site is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Individuals should decide whether to have LASIK, Lens Surgery or Cataract Surgery based on consultations and advice of their eye surgeon and full discussion of the benefits and risk of the procedure. While LASIK, Lens Surgery and Cataract Surgery are generally considered to be safe and effective procedures in correcting vision, individual results may vary.
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