Cataracts
Overview
The lens of the eye lies behind the pupil and is normally clear and transparent. When this lens becomes cloudy, the condition is called a cataract.
Cataracts occur when the protein in the lens, which is usually arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and allows light through, starts clumping together to cloud a small area of the lens. This is the start or beginning of a cataract, and over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see.
Symptoms
Cataracts that are linked to aging usually progress slowly, so slowly that it's sometimes difficult to even notice the gradual change in your vision. Common symptoms of cataracts include fuzzy or blurred vision, frequent changes in glasses, double vision in one eye, problems reading, decreased color perception, and poor night vision. People often have trouble driving at night with cataracts.
 Normal Vision |
 Cataract |
Diagnosis
First, a vision test for corrective lenses is necessary. Sometimes, a prescription change will improve your vision, even with a cataract. A medical eye examination will determine whether there may be other causes of vision loss. Additional tests are conducted to measure glare sensitivity, contrast sensitivity, night vision, color vision and side or central vision.
Treatment of Cataracts
When symptoms begin to appear, you may be able to improve your vision for a while using new glasses, strong bifocals, magnification, appropriate lighting or other visual aids.
Think about surgery when your cataracts have progressed enough to seriously impair your vision and affect your daily life. Many people consider poor vision an inevitable fact of aging, but cataract surgery is a simple, relatively painless procedure to regain vision.
Click image to enlarge
Cataract surgery is very successful in restoring vision. In fact, it is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States, with over 1.5 million cataract surgeries done each year. Nine out of 10 people who have cataract surgery regain very good vision, somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40.
During surgery, the surgeon will remove your clouded lens, and in most cases replace it with a clear, plastic intraocular lens (IOL).
The Eye Centers of Racine & Kenosha utilize latest implants, including the revolutionary Crystalens® implant.
Learn more about Lens Implantation
View the Cataract and Lens Implantation Options powerpoint presentation
The Eye Centers of Racine and Kenosha provide the on-line information above solely for educational and communication purposes. Nothing contained on the site should be misconstrued as personal medical advice. None of the information published on the Eye Center website is intended to replace, supplement, or augment a medical visit with or medical advice from an eye care professional concerning the medical care of the viewer / user of the site. The Eye Centers of Racine and Kenosha disclaim any and all liability for injury or other damages resulting from the use of any information obtained from this website.
