Ophthalmology
A cataract is created when the cells in the lens of the eye die and become trapped in the capsule containing the lens, resulting in a cloudy appearance. Some patients compare cataracts to looking through a window clouded by steam. Cataracts can result from aging, eye injuries, diabetes, genetics, or medications with steroids, smoking, or habitual unprotected exposure to UV-A and UV-B rays.
- Cataracts are one of the most curable forms of vision loss.
- The average age for the development of cataracts is 73-75.
- More than half of Americans will develop cataracts by the age of 80.
- Cataract surgery is considered to be one of the safest and most frequently performed surgeries in the U.S.
Cataract symptoms include, but are not limited to the following:
- Dulled color vision
- Cloudy vision
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty with glare
- Frequent changes to eye prescription
The actual cataract is not significant, it’s the loss of vision associated with it. The treatment of cataracts is performed through a simple outpatient surgery, which means there is no overnight stay at a hospital. In the surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens.