CATARACTS

August is national cataract awareness month. As common as cataracts are, some people may develop cataracts and not be aware. Cataracts which are inherited or caused by a mother’s infection during pregnancy are called "congenital." For this article, however, I will deal with adult cataracts.

Cataracts occur when the lens in the eye becomes so cloudy or opaque that the vision is disturbed. Cataracts are caused by aging, exposure to ultraviolet light, injury to the eye, smoking, or diabetes.

According to drkoop.com, "Most people develop some clouding of the lens after the age of 60. About 50% of people aged 65 – 74 and about 70% of those 75 and older have visually significant cataracts." Cataracts develop slowly without pain and cause a gradual change in vision. The changes typically noted with cataracts are cloudy, blurry vision with glare from the sun or bright lights. Often, the most limiting effect is inability to drive at night due to the severe glare from oncoming headlights. Most times the cataracts develop in both eyes, but one may progress more quickly than the other.

The only treatment for cataracts is surgery. Your eye doctor will determine when the cataract is "mature" or entirely opaque and ready to be removed. The surgery is done under local anesthesia on an out-patient basis.

The surgeon makes a small incision in the eye through which the lens pieces are removed after the ultrasound breaks up the cataract. Then, a new man-made lens is usually implanted to help return vision to normal.

After surgery, eye drops must be instilled every few hours to help prevent infection, to control the pressure inside the eye, and to promote healing. Strenuous activities will be restricted for a period of time after surgery.

Though a noted improvement in vision will be observed the day after surgery, maximum improvement will come in about one month.

If you have been experiencing any of these visual changes: blurred, cloudy vision; halos around lights; or decreased night vision, call your ophthalmologist for an appointment.