Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide, though in the United States access to cataract surgery is readily available, so most Americans fortunately do not need to live with vision impairment from cataracts for very long. Cataracts are an opacification of the lens of the eye. They are typically caused by aging and UV exposure over time, though trauma and certain medications like steroids may also cause cataract formation.
Cataract symptoms include a decrease in visual acuity, foggy or hazy vision, glare and halos. Patients often complain that they need more light to read and have trouble seeing things at night. Currently the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgical removal, the most common method being phacoemulsification. Today’s cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure lasting only minutes and is typically sutureless. The ability of the surgeon to accurately calculate the lens implant leaves many patients with great distance vision and only a need for readers. The implant technology today allows for correction of astigmatism and there are even multifocal implants like the Crystalens, Tecnis, ReSTOR and ReZoom.
At the Visionary Eye Center, we can work with your surgeon to help guide you to the right implant lens type for your eyes and administer your post-operative care.
