You may already know that your eyes change as you age. This is evident if you need to wear glasses for either near- or farsightedness. While there are many reasons for the need to wear glasses or contacts, one thing that can happen inside your eye is that a cataract may form which is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye.

Cataracts start small and as they mature they keep light from passing through the the lens of the eye to focus on the retina. When the light comes through completely, the result is a sharp image. When the light is filtered through a cataract, you may notice hazy or blurred sight. And if the cataract is left untreated you will eventually not be able to see anything. In fact, cataracts are the number one cause of blindness in the world.

Causes of Cataracts

While aging is one cause of the formation of cataracts, there are several others, including:

• Diabetes – impaired blood circulation may cause changes in the eye

• Diuretics, tranquilizers, and steroids – People on these types of drugs may be at higher risk for developing cataracts, but more studies are needed to determine if it is the drugs or the medical conditions the drugs are needed for that cause the formation

• Ultraviolet light – Some studies have shown that ultraviolet light may play a factor in the development of cataracts, which is why some eye doctors suggest people wear sunglasses or broad-brimmed hats to shade the eyes

• Lifestyle choices – An excess of salt in the diet, smoking, heavy consumption of alcohol, and air pollution, such as lead, increase the risk of cataracts
  

Types of Cataracts

There are three types of cataracts that can occur in the eye:

• Cortical cataracts – These are often caused by diabetes, and begin at the edge of the lens and spread inward

• Nuclear cataracts – These are most often caused by aging, and form in the center of the lens and spread outward

• Subcapsular cataracts – These are primarily diagnosed in people with diabetes, people who are on high doses of steroids, those with retinitis pigmentosa, or those with severe farsightedness.  This type of cataract forms at the rear of the lens.
  

Symptoms of Cataracts

• Blurred, cloudy, or fuzzy vision

• Changes in color, such as fading

• Double or multiple vision in one eye

• Glare or halos

• Problems with night vision

• Frequents eyeglass prescription changes
  

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is performed in the U.S. on a regular basis, and has helped hundreds of thousands of people regain their vision. Once a cataract has formed, medications, exercises, eye drops, or special eyeglasses won’t make it better or get rid of it. The only solution is surgery. At Horizon Eye Care this is done on an outpatient basis. An intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted once the surgeon has removed the natural lens.

• Once your ophthalmologist has determined that you have a cataract, your general medical health, as well as the health of your eye is evaluated, and you and your doctor make a decision regarding surgery.

• After being given an anesthetic, your ophthalmologist uses a microscope to make a very small incision in the eye.

• The natural lens is removed using small instruments and ultrasound.

• The IOL is inserted and the incision is closed.  Stitches are not normally necessary following modern cataract surgery.
  

Intraocular Lenses

There are several types of IOLs used at Horizon Eye Care. Each one is designed differently to help you see clearly once your cataract has been removed. We use ReStor®, Crystalens®, and ReZoom™ IOLs that help you see at different distances. These IOLs are made of lightweight plastic and are multifocal. We also use the Toric IOL designed to correct astigmatism and distance vision at the same time.

If you believe you may have a cataract and are in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, please contact the cataract specialists at Horizon Eye Care for an initial eye examination.