FAQ

Cataracts

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a general clouding of the lens inside the eye.  As cataracts develop, vision becomes cloudy, hazy or blurry, colors may fade, and there may be extra starbursts or halos around lights.  Glare from lights and sunshine may seem worse when there is a cataract present. 

The risk of developing cataracts increases with age.  It is reported that 50% of Americans ages 65-74, and about 70%  over age 75, have a cataract.  Aside from advancing age, diabetes, smoking, alcohol use, obesity, prolonged use of corticosteroids, and prolonged exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet), can also increase the risk of cataract development.  Cataracts also occur at a higher rate after having certain eye injuries or eye surgeries.

Though there is significant controversy about whether cataracts can be prevented, a number of studies suggest certain nutrients and nutritional supplements may reduce your risk of cataracts.  Reducing your exposure to ultraviolet light by wearing sunglasses may also help to slow the progression of cataracts.

When symptoms begin to appear, you may be able to improve your vision for a while using new glasses, stronger bifocals, extra magnification, appropriate lighting or other visual aids.

Surgery will be recommended when your cataracts have progressed enough to seriously impair your vision and affect your daily life.  This is the point where the cataract is considered to be 'ripe'.  Many people consider poor vision an inevitable fact of aging, but cataract surgery is a simple, relatively painless procedure to regain vision.  If you have cataracts in both eyes, each eye will be surgically repaired, one at a time, about 4-8 weeks apart. Although cataract surgery is not without risk, complications are rare.  Cataract surgery improves vision 90% of the time without complication.