Cataracts

Symptoms

• Do you have gradual reduction in vision?
  
• Do you have glare at night?
  
• Do you have double vision in one eye?
  
• Are you becoming more shortsighted?

What is Cataract?

There is normally a lens inside the eyeball that is necessary for focussing images onto the light sensitive film at the back of the eye (called the Retina). Normally this lens is crystal clear to allow the passage of light through it. When Cataract develops, this lens becomes cloudy like frosted glass and obstructs the light rays passing through it.

Who gets cataracts?

The majority of people get cataracts with age. This usually occurs slowly and gradually for many years. Until such times when the cataract becomes thick enough, only then when symptoms become obvious. In a small minority of people, cataract may develop secondary to other causes such as trauma, certain drugs, recurrent inflammation in eyes and some general medical conditions. These can progress very rapidly.

What is the treatment?

The only effective treatment available for cataracts is surgery. In recent years there have been many advances in cataract surgery. It is now so refined that most cataract surgery are done through a very tiny little hole in the eye without the use of any sutures. A small probe is then inserted into the eye to fragment the cataract and suck it out in tiny little pieces. Once the natural lens of the eye is removed, an artificial lens in inserted. This artificial lens or implant is also tiny and are now made of very malleable material. These artificial lenses are then inserted through this tiny little hole in the eye folded. Once inside the eye, this lens unfolds itself and opens up into a full size lens. Cataract surgery is now so refined that has become a very safe procedure. However, like any other types of surgery, it does carry a certain risk of complications and cataract surgery is no exception.

Do I need this implant and how long will it last?

Without implants, the eye is unable to focus the image onto the retina effectively and results in very blurred vision. In such cases, very thick glasses or contact lenses have to be worn. These are often very heavy and troublesome and this practice has been mostly abandoned. The insertion of implants has become the standard for all cataract surgery. They are made of very inert materials. The body does not reject them and are there permanently. Also, no attention is required for their maintenance.

When should cataract surgery be performed?

As previously mentioned, most cataracts develop with age and most elderly people have a certain degree of cataracts. Not all require attention. Surgery is only recommended when cataracts starts reducing vision significantly to affect the normal carry out of daily duties. Usually, your optician or eye doctor will be able to tell you if there is enough cataract and surgery is warranted.