Cataracts and Symptoms: What is a Cataract and how do I know if I have one?

Of those age 60 or over, the chances are approximately 6 in 10 that you are experiencing the symptoms of cataracts.  A cataract refers to the clouding of the eye's natural lens.  Because cataracts form gradually---often over years---the symptoms are often difficult to spot.  Take a few moments now to see if any of these symptoms are familiar to you:

Sensitivity to Glare

The erosion of one's ability (as compared to that at a younger age) to adjust to excessive light is an early sign of cataracts. 

Other indications of cataracts include difficulty when driving toward the sun, difficulty to see traffic signals against a bright sky, or a delay in return to normal vision after passing an oncoming set of bright headlights.

Headaches, eye fatigue, burning and watering of the eyes when exposed to bright light---even though your visual acuity remains essentially unchanged---are also symptoms to look for.

Difficulty Reading

Because the cloudy lens allows less light to reach the retina, vision in general and reading vision in particular, are often fuzzy and indistinct through the affected eye.

You may experience the symptoms as an inability to read small print in telephone books or on medicine labels, or you may notice that reading the menu---or the bill---in dim restaurants has become a difficult chore.

You may also find that reading in bright light is more annoying, because the glare of light reflected from the page may make your eyes burn. 

Loss of Color Perception

When the once crystal-clear natural lens becomes yellow or brown with age, it greatly decreases your ability to distinguish colors at the blue or violet end of the spectrum.

After replacement with a clear artificial lens, many notice a newfound appreciation of blues---a once muddy-looking sky may now appear vibrant.

Loss of Depth Perception

The ability to see in three dimensions requires good vision from both eyes.  If you find that you have difficulty judging distances---if you undershoot the glass you were about to pick up, for example---it may signal a visual impairment in one eye.

You may discover other depth-perception problems while driving; gauging the distance to the car in front of you may be harder, or you may find you run up on the curb when parking.

Night Blindness

Because less light penetrates the lens, a cataract may be most apparent at low light levels.  This may become unmistakable when trying to drive at night.  If you feel less sure about driving after dark, it's time to call your doctor for an appointment.

Second Sight

As adults pass age 50, some suddenly experience the ability to read without their reading glasses or bifocals.  While this "second sight" may seem like an improvement, it is actually a signal that the lens is turning hard and brittle; as the lens hardens, it sometimes bends light rays so that close objects can be seen without glasses.

About Intraocular Lenses

Decades ago, cataracts virtually always condemned victims to a life of near total blindness.  Fortunately,  today there is a relatively straight-forward procedure for the permanent replacement of the eye's natural lens with a clear implant called an "intraocular" lens. 

Intraocular lenses are about the size of Lincoln's head on a penny and weigh about the same as a kernel of corn.  They are polished to the precise curvature needed to bend light rays into focus on the retinal at the back of your eye.

The intraocular lens is made of an inert plastic and can provide good vision for the rest of your life.  Many lenses even screen out potentially harmful  ultraviolet rays from the sun.  Some lens implants are foldable- this allow the implant to be inserted through a smaller incision.

What to Do

If you suspect a cataract, call our office to schedule an eye exam with Dr.Walt Bogart.  Dr. Bogart has over 21 years of experience and has performed well over 20,000 successful refractive procedures.  Whether you are interested in a standard intraocular lens or a premium lens (TECNIS Multifocal, Crystalens, ReSTOR lens, ReZooM lens, TORIC lens, etc.), we've got you covered.  During your examination, Dr. Bogart will evaluate your eyes, personality, activities that you enjoy doing, and your medical history, to determine which lens would be the most beneficial to you.

Cataract Surgery

For most cataract patients, the intraocular lens implant literally replaces the natural lens in its position behind the pupil opening of the eye. 

After anesthesia has taken effect, a small incision is made to first remove the hard center (nucleus)  of the lens, then the remaining cloudy, milky contents.  Under the shell (skin) of the lens which remains is a space for the eye surgeon to implant an artificial lens specially prescribed for your eye.  A surgical microscope aids the surgeon in removing the cataract and in placing an artificial lens within the eye.

Although surgical time varies, the operation usually takes from 20 to 30 minutes.  Most patients are at the surgical center for at least 2 hours on the day of surgery.

No Hospital Stay

Cataract surgery can usually be done on an outpatient basis, without requiring an overnight hospital stay.

Because local anesthesia is used to numb the area around the eye, you will be mildly awake for the entire operation, although experiencing little or no pain.  It is the use of a local anesthetic---which does not require lengthy monitoring---that allows you to return home soon after surgery. 

Conclusion

There are a myriad of vision problems created by cataracts.  These problems may be solved with a relatively simple and straight-forward operation.  Modern cataract surgery is 95% successful in improving vision.  If you suspect a cataract, call our office to schedule a complete eye examination with Dr. Bogart:  803-794-0000