Their prevalence increases as we age, becoming increasingly common in people age 40 and up. Despite the risk increasing with age, anyone can develop cataracts.
The only treatment currently available for cataracts is cataract removal surgery, though there are eye drops (and other non-surgical treatments) currently undergoing testing. Cataract removal surgery is a safe procedure with a success rate north of 98%.
It is still a fairly commonly-held belief that vision loss via cataracts is an inevitable part of aging. As with anything, education and having realistic expectations are important in ensuring long-term success.
Risk factors include:
Symptoms of developing cataracts include:
There are several types of cataracts, including:
If your cataracts are beginning to have an impact on your life, such as difficulty reading or differentiating colors, you may be a candidate for surgery.
We will assess the type and development of your cataracts, as well as the overall health of your eye and surrounding tissues. If you are a candidate we will refer you to an Ophthalmologist (who will perform the surgery).
The surgery itself is fairly straightforward. In most cases it’s also relatively painless, with some post-operative discomfort that clears in a couple of weeks.
The Ophthalmologist will remove your cloudy lens and replace it with an intraocular lens (IOL) made of plastic. The IOL mimics the function of the original lens and is quite effective. You do not see or feel the new lens- it performs the same functions as the original.