A cataract is a common condition that causes a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, and affects millions of people each year. Cataracts cause a progressive loss of vision. The exact cause of cataracts is unknown, although it may be a result of injury, certain medications (such as steroids), illnesses (such as diabetes), prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light and smoking.
Some cataracts may be slow growing, and vision may be corrected with glasses for some time. Other cataracts develop more rapidly than others, and your eye doctor can monitor these changes in vision with periodic eye examinations. If left untreated, cataracts will worsen over time and may lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness.
If left untreated, cataracts will worsen over time and may lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness.Cataract surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that involves numbing the eyes with anesthesia and then making a tiny incision, into which an ultrasonic probe is inserted. The probe breaks up, or emulsifies, the cloudy lens into tiny pieces and then suctions them out of the eye. Once the cloudy lens has been removed, a new artificial lens is implanted into the eye. This lens is known as an intraocular lens (IOL).
The probe breaks up, or emulsifies, the cloudy lens into tiny pieces and then suctions them out of the eye. Once the cloudy lens has been removed, a new artificial lens is implanted into the eye. This lens is known as an intraocular lens (IOL).Surgery usually takes only a few minutes to perform and is painless for most patients. In most patients, the surgery can be performed with self-sealing microscopic incisions that do not require stitches. After the procedure, a patch may be placed over the eye. Patients can return home the very same day, but will need someone to drive them home. For the next few days, you may experience itching, mild discomfort, fluid discharge and sensitivity to light and touch. Your doctor will prescribe eye drops to help the healing process and to reduce the risk of infection.