
Refractive options with cataract surgery
With advances in technology and expertise, cataract surgery is now arguably the most successful surgical procedure in all of...
A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye which leads to a decrease in vision. It is the most common cause of blindness and is conventionally treated with surgery. Read on to find out more.
A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye becomes clouded or opaque. The lens of the eye is similar to the lens of a camera. It is located directly behind the pupil and its function is to focus the incoming light rays onto the retina at the back of the eye.
The images are then transmitted from the retina to the brain as electrical impulses via the optic nerve. When a cataract occurs, light is unable to pass through the lens and so vision becomes blurred, much as looking through a dirty window.
Most commonly, cataracts are caused by the deterioration of the normal protein structure within the lens of the eye as a person ages.
The vast majority of people who have cataracts are healthy with no other eye diseases.
However, cataracts can be secondary in the presence of medical conditions such as diabetes; the use of certain drugs and radiation damage; severe glaucoma or eye injuries. Cataracts can occasionally occur in infants and young children as a congenital defect.
Cataracts may develop rapidly over a few months or slowly over several years. Most often the second eye will be affected but not necessarily at the same time or rate.
As your cataract progresses, you will notice a deterioration of your distance and reading vision. You may also experience sensitivity to light or glare intolerance, especially at night. All of these symptoms are normal and are no cause for alarm. Altering your glasses may help in the early stages.
However, changing the strength of your glasses will eventually be insufficient. Surgery then becomes necessary.
Post-operatively, you can expect a change in your refraction. This may affect your uncorrected vision and spectacle lens power.
Occasionally, unpredicted variations can occur resulting in significant changes in spectacle power.
Please ask your doctor about your likely visual results both with and without spectacles following your surgery.
Many patients experience black spots or floaters in their vision after surgery.
These are usually not significant, however mention them to your doctor on your next visit should you experience them.
With advances in technology and expertise, cataract surgery is now arguably the most successful surgical procedure in all of...