Cataracts

Inside everyone’s eye is a lens. Just like with a camera, the lens of your eye helps you to focus on things whether they are nearby or far away. A cataract is a slow, progressive clouding of the eye’s natural lens. It interferes with light passing through the eye to the retina. Cataracts are caused by a change in the proteins of the eye, which causes clouding or discoloration of the lens. Over time cataracts typically result in blurred or fuzzy vision and sensitivity to light.

People with progressed cataracts often describe the sensation as looking through a piece of wax paper. A cataract may make light from the sun or a lamp seems too bright, causing glare. Colors may not appear as bright as they once did, however, most cataracts develop so slowly that people usually don’t realize that their color vision has markedly deteriorated. Oncoming headlights may cause uncomfortable glare at night, making driving more difficult. As the cataract matures eventually even corrective lenses may not improve your sight. At that point removing the clouded lens is the only way to restore your sight. Advances in technology have improved cataract surgery to an out-patient procedure that takes a half-hour or less and allows you to return to normal activities within a few days.

Cataracts are a common occurrence with aging but can also occur as a consequence of birth abnnormalities, environmental factors, accidents or injuries. Exposure to ultraviolet light can aid in the growth of a cataract.

To learn about Cataract surgery and options, select from one of the following:

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