Cataracts are a common eye condition that causes clouding of the lens in the eye, leading to decreased vision. They primarily occur due to aging, but can also result from other factors like injury, radiation exposure, certain medications, or underlying medical conditions like diabetes.
Blurry or cloudy vision
Difficulty seeing at night
Sensitivity to light and glare
Seeing halos around lights
Fading or yellowing of colors
Double vision in a single eye
Cataracts can often be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam. Treatment typically involves surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens. This surgery is highly successful and is one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide. It can significantly improve vision and quality of life for those affected by cataracts.
Factors that increase your risk of cataracts include:
Old age
Diabetes
Excessive exposure to sunlight
Smoking
Obesity
High blood pressure
Previous eye injury or inflammation
Previous eye surgery
Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications
Cataract surgery is a common procedure to remove the cloudy lens from the eye and replace it with an artificial lens. There are several lens options available for cataract surgery, including:
Monofocal lenses: These lenses have a fixed focal point, typically set for distance vision. They can improve vision for one distance, but reading glasses may still be needed for near vision.
Multifocal lenses: These lenses can provide clear vision at multiple distances, reducing the need for glasses after surgery. They are designed to correct both distance and near vision.
Toric lenses: These are specially designed for patients with astigmatism, correcting both cataracts and astigmatism in one procedure. They can be monofocal or multifocal.
Accommodating lenses: These lenses are designed to move and adjust within the eye, mimicking the natural focusing ability of the eye's natural lens. They can provide a range of vision without the need for glasses.
Extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses: These lenses provide a continuous range of vision from distance to intermediate, reducing the dependence on glasses for activities like reading or using a computer.