Cataracts

A Cataract is a clouding of the natural crystalline lens of the eye. Cataracts are most commonly age-related, but they can also be caused by some medications or by trauma.

Cataracts typically progress slowly to cause vision loss and are potentially blinding if untreated. Some symptoms of Cataracts are blurred vision, increased glare, and decreased contrast sensitivity, so that contours, shadows and color vision are less vivid. The condition usually affects both eyes, however almost always one eye is affected earlier than the other.

A Cataract is treated with surgery. When a Cataract has sufficiently developed to be removed by surgery, the cataractous lens is removed and replaced with a plastic lens (an intraocular lens implant) which stays in the eye permanently. Cataract operations are usually performed using local anesthetic and the patient is allowed to go home the same day. Following Cataract surgery most patients will only need glasses for near vision.

With new developments in technology, there are even more options for multifocal and astigmatic lens implants. With multifocal lenses, a patient may not need glasses at all. For a full Cataract evaluation please call to make an appointment today.