Cataracts
What are cataracts?
The lens of the eye works a bit like the lens of a camera. The lens focuses light rays onto the retina, which is located at the back of the eye, and the retina transmits images to the brain. Your lens must remain clear for the light to pass through and reach the retina. When the lens becomes cloudy and vision is blurred, we call it "cataract." Cloudiness of the lens usually occurs with age. It is not a disease or a film that covers the eye - it is simply a cloudiness of the natural lens inside your eye, so it usually cannot be seen if you look in the mirror. If you have cataracts, contact us to schedule a consultation.
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Causes
Most occur in later life as part of the natural aging process. You could say the lens of our eye turns gray and cloudy, just like our hair turns gray. It is a natural degeneration that happens to everyone. However, we often see early development in patients who are smokers and heavy drinkers. Some types can be present from birth (congenital), others are caused by an injury or blow to the eye (traumatic), or by certain drugs or inflammations. Some patients may develop cataract quickly in just a few months. For others they take years to progress. They can occur in one eye or both eyes, and when the lens becomes too cloudy, we must remove it. In the United States there are over a million cataracts removed each year. Following treatment, our patients can expect to see significant improvement in the quality of their vision.
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When should they be removed?
When you can't see well enough to do the things you need to do. The best time depends on the impairment of your vision, and how it affects your daily activities. If you lead an active lifestyle and rely a great deal on your eyes, you'll need them removed at a much earlier stage than someone with less need for sharp vision. Usually by the time people have difficulty with glare, reading, or driving, they choose to have them removed. It is never necessary to wait for cataracts to "ripen." Our advanced surgical techniques allow safe removal at any stage. With the advice of our specialists, YOU are the one best suited to make the decision for cataract removal. In most cases, it does no harm to leave them alone, if you don't mind the blurred vision. However, cataracts left in the eye too long can sometimes become "overripe," causing inflammation and glaucoma. Recent studies show that the earlier they are removed, the fewer the complications. So once they start bothering you, it is best to schedule surgery.
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What new advances are available?
Cataracts are a normal part of the aging process. The lens in the eye becomes cloudy as we age, causing blurring of the vision once it gets cloudy enough. Since they affect almost everyone sooner or later, our surgeons are always looking for ways to make care as easy, as effective, and as safe as possible. We use the latest techniques and technology to help assure that your results will be as good as possible. Our doctors work hard to be sure they are familiar with the latest treatments. Since techniques change rapidly, there are many doctors who still use older, less advanced techniques. Our doctors and our surgicenter, however, employ the latest and best techniques & technologies. Patients now have the choice to have enhanced cataract surgery designed to provide a youthful range of vision for near and far without glasses.
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