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Cataracts are the primary cause of poor vision among adults
and one of the leading causes of blindness. The development of
cataracts is a normal part of the aging process, but they can
result from other factors as well, such as certain medications or
too much sunlight. By age 60, the probability of having cataracts
is about 66 percent. By age 70, it is 90 percent.
The word "cataract" comes from the Latin word for waterfall.
Imagine trying to look at objects as if you were standing behind
a waterfall. This gives you some idea of what it's like to see
the world with cataracts.
A more practical means of simulating a cataract is to look
through a piece of plastic kitchen wrap, then through a piece of
waxed paper. The view through the waxed paper is similar to
vision impaired by cataracts.
A cataract is a change in the lens of the eye itself, not a
film over the eye as is often thought. The lens is the structure
behind the pupil that helps focus images on the retina. In a
healthy eye, the lens is clear and transparent. Light can pass
through it normally. With cataracts, however, parts of the lens
become cloudy or even opaque, which hinders the passage of light.
A cataract is indicated by one or more of the following
symptoms:
- A gradual deterioration in vision over time.
- Objects may appear yellow, hazy, blurred or distorted.
- Vision in bright light or sunshine may be difficult due to
glare.
- Vision at night or in low light may be dramatically reduced.
- Halos may appear around bright lights at night.
Cataracts usually develop gradually, without pain, redness
or tearing. How seriously a cataract will affect vision depends
on its location, density and size.
Poor vision from cataracts affects 60 percent of all adults
over age 60. This does not mean, however, that all of them will
need cataract surgery. The key question is, "How much is the
cataract affecting my lifestyle?"
A cloudy lens can be removed and full vision restored with
an intraocular lens at any stage. Most doctors agree, however,
that surgery should not be performed at the first sign of a
cataract, but rather when cataracts begin to negatively affect
lifestyle and functioning.
Surgery can restore the vision of cataract sufferers. In
many cases, this restoration of vision is complete. In most
cataract surgery, the eye with the cataract is anesthetized. An
ophthalmologist surgeon removes the natural lens and replaces
it with an artificial lens. There are three options for the
substitute lens:
- Cataract eyeglasses.
- Contact lenses.
- Intraocular (inside the eye) implants.
The third option, the intraocular artificial lens, accounts
for 98 percent of all cataract surgery cases. Implants are safe
and effective replacements for natural lenses.
Cataract surgery is performed on more than a million
patients each year. It has become one of the most successful
surgical procedures. In fact, cataract surgery has an overall
success rate of 98 percent. Usually, the surgery is done on an
outpatient basis, with no hospital stay, very little discomfort,
and little disruption of routine.
Shortly after surgery, most people are sent home (driven by
a friend or family member) with a protective patch over the eye.
Usually the patch is removed the next morning. At that time,
vision may be excellent, or it may take a few days to clear.
Except for swimming and lifting heavy objects, patients can
resume ordinary activities after the first day.
Many people believe that surgeons use lasers to treat
cataracts. While this may be possible in the future, right now
all primary cataract surgery is done by making a tiny incision in
the cornea. The clouded lens is either removed intact through the
incision or is dissolved using an ultrasonic probe to break the
cataract into an emulsion which is vacuumed out of the eye.
For more information, contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
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