Home Eye Conditions Cataracts

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye, which lies behind the iris and pupil. Our natural lens functions similar to the lens in a camera. It focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The lens is also able to adjust the eye's focus allowing us to see things clearly both near and far. When we are young this lens is clear. Over the years the lens can lose its clarity and the light that is transmitted through it is reduced and starts to scatter. The result is that images are not focused properly onto the retina at the back of the eye and vision may start to become poor. A lens which has lost its ability to clearly transmit light is called a cataract.

The lens is predominantly made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that allows the lens to remain clear and lets light pass through. However, as we age some of the protein may start to clump together and cause some clouding of the lens. This is the formation of a cataract.

Signs of a Cataract

When a cataract starts it often has little or no effect on your vision. You may notice that your vision is a little blurred. The cataract may cause light from the sun to seem too bright causing glare. Or you may notice when you drive at night that the oncoming headlights cause more glare than before. Gradually as the cataract worsens colours may not appear as bright as they once did.

The exact type and severity of the cataract will affect what symptoms you experience and how soon they will occur. When symptoms begin to appear you may be able to improve your vision for a while using new glasses, stronger bifocals, magnifying aids or more lighting.

Please be aware that the following symptoms of cataracts can also be a sign of other eye problems, soyou must check with your eye care professional.

• Cloudy or blurred vision
• Glare, Haloes or increased brightness from lights.
• Colours that seem faded.
• Poor night vision.
• Double or multiple images (this may go as the cataract grows). Frequent changes to your spectacle prescription.

What causes Cataracts?

The exact mechanism causing the eye's lens to change as we age is not known. However, we do know that people who spend a lot of time in the sun develop cataracts earlier than others and smoking may hasten its onset.

In addition, those with diabetes are at increased risk of developing cataracts.

Also many drugs can increase one's risk such as steroids, diuretics and major tranquilizers.

What can you do about cataracts?

Most of the time surgery is eventually required to improve your vision. Cataract surgery is an elective rocedure and surgery is only required when the loss of vision interferes with everyday activities and your quality of life.

How is Cataract removed?

Cataract surgery is one of the most common procedures performed today. The operation usually lasts less than 20 minutes and is often performed using anaesthetic eye drops without the need for injections. Due to the creation of a self-sealing entry into the eye stitches are usually not required.

Your surgeon will remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens enabling your sight to be restored. The intraocular lens cannot be seen or felt. However because the lens is clear and no longer cloudy, colours may appear to be very bright or have a slight coloured tinge to them This should go away within a few months.

Modern cataract surgery involves the creation of a self-sealing microincision, often less than 3mm wide. The technique uses an ultrasonic probe to break up and suction out the cloudy lens (this is called Phacoemulsification)

Many people mistakenly believe that a laser has been used to perform the procedure. While there are some laser systems under development to perform cataract surgery these are not routinely used and are regarded by most experienced surgeons as at the beginning of their development
Currently there is no better or safer technique for cataract removal than Phacoemulsification


FAQ

Q: What exactly is a cataract?
A: A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which lies behind the iris and pupil.

Q: Are cataracts only found in older people?
A: About 50% of the population have developed a cataract by the age of 65 and nearly everyone has at least one cataract by age 75. Occasionally, infants can be born with cataracts often related to their mother having German Measles, chickenpox or another infection during pregnancy. Sometimes cataracts are inherited. Certain drugs can increase the chance of developing cataracts.

Q: My doctor says I have a cataract but he wants to wait before removing it. Why?
A: Cataracts usually commence as very small but gradually become larger and cloudier. Your doctor is probably waiting until the cataract interferes significantly with your vision and your lifestyle.You need to continue to have the progress of the cataract monitored. If your cataract stars to interfere with your vision and your quality of life, then it's time to discuss surgery with your doctor.

Q: Is cataract surgery serious?
A: All surgery involves some risk and cataract surgery is significant eye surgery. However, cataract surgery is the most commonly performed type of surgery in Australia and an experienced eye surgeon will have performed many thousands of procedures. Choosing an experienced surgeon will reduce your risk.

Q: Will I need to be put to sleep with anaesthetic?
A: No. Most patients require only anaesthetic eye drops to numb their eye. Usually there are no injections, though you may be given some slight sedation and you are awake during the procedure.

Q: Will my eye need to be covered after surgery and for how long?
A: Most patients do not require any patching of their eye after surgery. Should this be required then it may be removed by you the following morning.

Q: How long will I be in the Day Surgery?
A: Though cataract surgery is brief, often taking no more than 20 minutes to perform, you will be in the day surgery usually for about 2-3 hours. Most patients will go home without the need for an eye patch and and can resume most normal activities the next day.

Q: What happens after surgery?
A: It is normal to feel irritation and mild discomfort after surgery. Sometimes the eye may weep and the eye may be sensitive to light and touch. Eye drops are used for about a month to aid healing. Most activities can be resumed the next day. You should check with your doctor before commencing driving.
Vision may be blurry as the eye heals. Healing is usually complete in 4 weeks.

Q: How are cataracts removed?
A: The most modern form of cataract surgery involves a techniqure called Phacoemulsification. A microinision is made in the eye and through this the cloudy cataract is broken up and suctiond out with the aid of an ultrasonic probe.Then an artificial intra ocular lens is inserted.

Q: I have heard that sometimes after the surgery you need laser treatment. Why?
A: The natural lens is contained within a clear membrane called the lens capsule. This capsule is left behind after the cataract is removed so that the artificial intraocular lens has somewhere to sit. Often months or years after cataract surgery this membrane may become cloudy. Should this occur then a treatment utilizing the YAG laser can create a clear opening in this cloudy membrane. This may be done in your doctors office and does not require a return to the operating room. Anaesthetic drops are used to numb the surface of the eye and the procedure is quick lasting only a few minutes and is painless.