Cataract Removal Can Clear Your Cloudy Vision with Minimal Risk

Cataracts—clumps of protein that cloud the lenses of your eyes—are the most common cause of vision impairment in older adults; they affect more than 25 million Americans, 61 percent of whom are women.

How Cataracts Form

The lenses in your eyes are made primarily of water and protein that form a transparent disc behind the pupil. As you age, the protein begins to clump together and form “clouds” that gradually become larger and cover more of the lens. A cataract scatters light as it passes through the lens, which blurs your vision. A cataract also may cause increased sensitivity to glare and seeing “halos” around lights, which can make night driving particularly difficult.

You may be able to correct vision impairments somewhat with stronger glasses, but there are no treatments that can halt the progression of cataracts. Eventually, you will need surgery to remove the cloudy lenses.

“Once cataracts begin to impact your daily activities, such as reading, driving, or watching TV, and glares and/or halos become problematic, then it is advisable to proceed with surgery,” says Ana Alzaga Fernandez, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Cataracts can be detected during an eye exam in which your pupils have been dilated. Adults over age 50 are advised to have an eye exam every one to two years, even if no vision changes are noticed.

Removing Cataracts

Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a clear, artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). It is an outpatient procedure that takes less than an hour and is covered by Medicare and most insurance.

The most common type of cataract surgery is called phacoemulsification. First, a sedative is given and numbing drops are placed in the eye. (General anesthesia is rarely used, but it may be an option; speak with your surgeon.) The surgeon then makes a small opening on the side of your cornea. A device inserted into the eye emits ultrasound vibrations, which break the lens into small pieces. The fragments are then removed by suction, and the IOL is inserted.

Another surgery option uses a laser to make the incision. This makes a more precise cut, which can reduce healing time and lower the possibility of complications. However, the procedure is not covered 100 percent by Medicare or private insurance.

Corrective Lenses

IOLs that correct for several issues, such as myopia (nearsightedness), presbyopia (inability to focus on nearby objects), and astigmatism (an irregular curvature that prevents proper focusing), are available. These types of IOLs may eliminate the need for eyeglasses after the surgery; however, Medicare doesn’t cover the cost, which may be as high as $5,000.

Better vision is just one benefit of cataract surgery, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Other benefits include reduced risks of hip fracture and car accidents. About 2 million cataract surgeries are performed every year in the U.S.

The Recovery Process

Following the surgery, you may feel some discomfort. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help, and sunglasses can protect against light sensitivity. For a few weeks, you will use medicated eye drops to aid healing and prevent infection. Complete healing takes four to eight weeks.

Nearly 98 percent of surgeries are completed without serious complications, but they do carry a small risk of infection and bleeding.

“Surgery also can increase the risk of retinal detachment,” says Dr. Alzaga Fernandez. A common symptom of retinal detachment is having a sudden increase in floaters or flashes in your field of vision; if this occurs, see your eye doctor as soon as possible.

Once cataracts are removed, they do not return, and the IOL should last a lifetime. In about 20 percent of patients, the capsule into which the IOL is placed may become hazy, a condition called posterior capsule opacity, which Dr. Alzaga Fernandez says can be easily treated in the clinic with a laser procedure that restores vision.

The post Cataract Removal Can Clear Your Cloudy Vision with Minimal Risk appeared first on University Health News.

Read Original Article: Cataract Removal Can Clear Your Cloudy Vision with Minimal Risk »