What is a Cataract?

A Cataract is simply explained as a clouding of the lens of the eye. Much like that of a camera the lens of the eye focuses the light onto the retina of the eye. The lens of the eye also adjusts and this is what allows us to see things that are close up or far away.

There are three different types of cataracts that can affect you and each of these cataracts can be treated successfully once diagnosed with cataract surgery.

Nuclear cataracts can normally be detected early as these cataracts can be seen as they form. These cataracts form due to old age and appear on the nucleus or the center of the lens.

Cortical cataracts are very common among diabetics. These cataracts form in the lens cortex and then gradually move their way from the outside of the lens into the center.

Subcapsular cataracts affect diabetics, people with farsightedness, and people with retinitis pigmentosa. These cataracts begin at the back of the lens and can also be caused from taking high doses of steroids.

Cataract Treatment And Cataract Surgery

When you first develop cataracts your vision can be improved by wearing new glasses and other visual aids. This however will not last very long and when your cataracts have progressed so far that they start to affect your daily life, cataract extraction using a cataract operation may be necessary.

A cataract surgical procedure frightening as it may sound is actually simple and relatively painless. This cataract operation will allow you to regain your sight and put the misery of cataracts behind you.

The cataract operation is very successful at restoring your vision and statistics show that the cataract surgical procedure is the most performed surgery in the United States. It has also be proven that 9 out of 10 people who have a cataract operation performed regain very good vision and most don’t need to wear glasses again.

During your cataract operation the cataract surgeon removes the clouded lens and then replaces it with a clear plastic lens known as an IOL (intraocular lens). Once the cataract operation is complete you will need some after cataract surgery care which will be explained to your by your cataract surgeon.

Signs To Look Out For

Cataracts start out small and at first they will have little or no effect on your vision. As the cataracts develop you may begin to notice that your vision becomes blurred. Cataracts can also make sunlight and other lights seem too bright especially car headlights at night.

Different cataracts have different symptoms. Nuclear cataracts give you what is known as second sight and this is a temporary improvement in your near vision. This vision is short lived and as your cataracts worsen this will disappear.
Subcapsular cataracts are much harder to detect. These cataracts have not early signs or symptoms and you won’t know you have them until the cataracts are well developed.

 
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