Cataracts FAQ

A cataract is the clouding of the crystalline lens in your eye. This opacity obstructs the passage of light resulting in a reduction of clear vision. Normally, light passes through the clear lens and is focused onto the retina. However, the natural aging process can cause the lens to become cloudy or milky. The cataract blocks the passage of light through the eye and causes distorted or blurred vision, glare or difficulty seeing in poor lighting conditions. There are three types of cataracts:

• • A nuclear cataract forms in the lens. Those over 65 are more prone to develop this type of cataract. More than half of all Americans over the age of 65 will develop a cataract.
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  • A cortical cataract forms in the lens then grows from the outside to the center of the lens. Diabetics are more prone to develop this type of cataract.
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  • A subcapsular cataract forms in the back of the lens. Those with diabetes, high hyperopia (Far-sightedness) or retinitis pigmentosa may be at a higher risk to develop this type of cataract.

Cataract surgery is a selective and successful solution to restoring vision when the cataracts seriously impair your vision and affect your daily life. Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in North America, with millions of surgeries done each year. Cataract surgery is a routine and relatively painless procedure.

Cataract surgery is generally performed on an outpatient basis. You will not need to be hospitalized or put to sleep for your doctor to perform your surgery. The procedure normally takes less than 15 minutes and you can return home shortly after your procedure. Most people will enjoy improved vision by the day after surgery or within a few days following the procedure.

To begin, your surgeon will administer a light sedative which will relax your nerves and keep you comfortable during the procedure. Anesthetic eye drops will be used to completely numb the eye. The entire procedure is performed through an incision that is smaller than 1/8 of an inch and does not require stitches to heal.

Once the cataract is removed, an intra-ocular lens (IOL) is placed where the cataract lens was removed, to restore your sight. Most patients will not require an eye patch and will not have any discomfort. Most patients can return to their normal daily routines; including reading, driving and exercise, the day after surgery.

It is not completely known why cataracts occur in all instances but studies on the cause of cataracts will soon teach us how to more successfully treat and prevent them. The most commonly known type of cataract is age-related. Ultraviolet light is a known catalyst for the formation of cataracts, so we recommend wearing 100% UV blocking sunglasses which will lessen your exposure over time. Other studies point to people with diabetes as a higher risk group for cataract development than those who do not suffer from diabetes. Cigarettes, air pollution, heavy drug usage and severe alcohol consumption may also contribute to your chances of developing cataracts.

You may not notice a slight change in your vision, as cataract starts out very tiny, but as it grows from the size of a pinhead, you may notice that your vision is becoming blurry, and you may feel as if you are looking through dirty eyeglasses. Object edges may appear to fade into one another and colors may not appear as bright as they should. The most common symptoms of a cataract are:

• • Cloudy or blurry vision
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  • Problems with light, such as headlights that seem too bright, glare from lamps or very bright sunlight
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  • Colours that seem faded
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  • Poor night vision
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  • Double or multiple vision
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  • Frequent changes in glasses or contact lenses
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  • Optical aids such as eyeglasses or contact lenses are no longer effective

Any patient who can undergo a thorough eye examination can undergo surgery if the procedure is performed with topical anesthetic-drops alone.

The treatment itself is painless. We will place a few numbing drops in your eye(s) to make you more comfortable.

You may need glasses or other corrective lenses after the procedure on a temporary or permanent basis. Cataract surgery will not prevent, and may unmask, the need for reading glasses.