Causes of cataract development

Cataracts are most commonly caused by age. In fact, almost everyone who lives long enough will develop cataracts. Age-related cataracts are brought about by chemical changes within the lens of the eye. These changes result in the lens hardening and becoming cloudy. Cataracts can also be caused by severe injuries to the eye, reactions to certain drugs, exposure to harmful chemicals or radiation, and some eye diseases and physical conditions such as diabetes. Smoking and exposure to high amounts of sunlight have been shown to increase the onset of cataract formation. Babies can also be born with congenital cataracts. Cataract symptoms

Cataracts vary in the way they develop, but generally, people experience one or more of these common symptoms:

• Gradual loss of color vision.
• Increased haziness, blurring, distortion and yellowed vision.
• Dark spots or shadows that move with the eye.
• Need for more light to read or see clearly.
• Night glare, halos or colored rings around lights.
• Becoming more nearsighted and not needing reading glasses.
• Double vision.
• Being able to see better without glasses.
• In advanced stages, a white or yellow pupil.

Cataract solution

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent or reverse the development of cataracts. Although there is evidence that antioxidants such as vitamin A, C and E may delay their development, there is no known way to prevent cataracts or to make the cloudy lens clear again. If there are no other serious problems with the eye, an experienced cataract surgeon can restore vision in over 99% of the cases. In fact, cataract surgery is one of the most successful surgeries being performed. The surgery involves two main parts: First, the cloudy lens must be removed and secondly, the focusing power must be replaced.

Removing the cloudy lens

Instead of removing the entire lens and capsule, the most modern treatment involves the surgeon making a small opening in the front of the clear covering to remove the cloudy gel inside the capsule. The rest of the capsule is left intact to provide a sac for holding the new artificial lens. The most ideal method of removing the gel from the lens is to use an ultrasound probe which vibrates at 40,000 times per second. This procedure, known as phacoemulsification, causes the least amount of trauma to the eye when performed by an experienced surgeon. Reaching into the capsule with the ultrasonic probe, the surgeon uses the controlled vibrations of the tip to break up the hardened, cloudy gel and suction it out of the eye.

Replacing the focusing power

In removing the lens of the eye, the natural focusing ability is also removed during cataract surgery. To replace it, a tiny artificial lens implant, usually made of Plexiglas, can be inserted into the original lens capsule. This lens implant is held securely in place by gentle, flexible loops. Artificial lens implants are available in all ranges of power so patients can often achieve better vision than they have ever experienced. Although clear vision can be restored almost immediately, glasses still may be needed for some activities such as driving or reading.

Cataract surgery risk

As with any surgery, there are risks involved with cataract surgery, though serious problems are very rare. Problems that do occur can generally be resolved so vision is not permanently lost. Under the care of an experienced surgeon, there is usually nothing to worry about.