ABOUT CATARACT |
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What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. The lens works much like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The lens also adjusts the eye's focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away.
The lens is mostly made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it. But as we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract, and over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see.
Cataracts are classified as one of three types:
- A nuclear cataract is most commonly seen as it forms. This cataract forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, and is due to natural aging changes.
- A cortical cataract, which forms in the lens cortex, gradually extends its spokes from the outside of the lens to the center. Many diabetics develop cortical cataracts.
- A subcapsular cataract begins at the back of the lens. People with diabetes, high farsightedness, retinitis pigmentosa or those taking high doses of steroids may develop a subcapsular cataract.
Cataract Symptoms and Signs
A cataract starts out small, and at first has little effect on your vision. You may notice that your vision is blurred a little, like looking through a cloudy piece of glass or viewing an impressionist painting.
A cataract may make light from the sun or a lamp seem too bright or glaring. Or you may notice when you drive at night that the oncoming headlights cause more glare than before. Colors may not appear as bright as they once did.
The type of cataract you have will affect exactly which symptoms you experience and how soon they will occur. When a nuclear cataract first develops it can bring about a temporary improvement in your near vision, called "second sight." Unfortunately, the improved vision is short-lived and will disappear as the cataract worsens. Meanwhile, a subcapsular cataract may not produce any symptoms until it's well-developed.
If you think you have a cataract, please see your ophthalmologist for an exam to find out for sure.
Cataract Treatment
When symptoms begin to appear, you may be able to improve your vision for a while using new glasses, strong bifocals, magnification, appropriate lighting or other visual aids.
Your ophthalmologist will evaluate your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment for you. A lot depends on how far your cataracts have progressed and if it is enough to seriously impair your vision and affect your daily life. Many people consider poor vision an inevitable fact of aging, but cataract surgery is a simple, relatively painless procedure to regain vision.
Cataract surgery is very successful in restoring vision. In fact, it is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States, with over 1.5 million cataract surgeries done each year. Nine out of 10 people who have cataract surgery regain very good vision, somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40.
During surgery, the surgeon will remove your clouded lens, and in most cases replace it with a clear, acrylic intraocular lens (IOL). New IOLs are being developed all the time to make the surgery less complicated for surgeons and the lenses more helpful to patients. Presbyopia-correcting IOLs potentially help you see at all distances, not just one. Another new type of IOL blocks both ultraviolet and blue light rays, which research indicates may damage the retina. (See section on Multifocal Lens).
New Multi-focal Lens Improves Cataract Patient Vision
A new multifocal lens can be implanted into cataract sufferers' eyes allowing them to see both near and far clearly
Traditional cataract surgery uses a monofocal lens which improves near vision, or distance vision, but usually not both. The new multifocal lenses are designed to improve both distance and close vision, and sometimes the vision of distances in between.
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the U.S. Almost anyone in good enough general health to qualify for traditional cataract surgery will also qualify for the procedure with the new lens. The lens may even work for those with astigmatism, or unusually shaped corneas.
The Lens itself looks slightly different from the traditional monofocal lens. The new lens has a series of concentric circles of varying vision corrective strengths, where the old lenses offered a uniform strength across the lens surface.
So far, two brands – ReSTOR and ReZoom – have FDA approval to market the new lens, but others have started the approval process.
Many of the patients who have had cataract correction surgery in the past experienced glare at night, light scatter, and rainbow effects around headlights, but all of those seem to be reduced with the new lenses. There is also marked improvement in this area with the new lens compared with past lenses that attempted to address both near and far vision.
Not every ophthalmologist is trained or offers the multifocal implants. Dr. Rom has performed many such procedures. Please call our offices for more information.
Note: Not everyone is a candidate for multi-focal lens and results will vary.
Turn Back the Clock 0n Your Vision!
When you and your ophthalmologist decide that it is the right time for cataract surgery, the defective lens that causes blurring and light distortions will be replaced with a new lens. You may choose between a clear lens referred to as a single vision "monofocal" or a full range multifocal lens. Cataract surgery is an opportunity to improve your vision and attain independence from glasses or contacts.
The chart below outlines how the various procedures impact vision, whether of not glasses are needed, insurance coverage, and costs.
| Will I Need Glasses? |
Cataract Surgery Options |
Covered By Insurance? |
Your Cost Per Eye |
| YES |
Option 1
Standard |
YES |
+ Co-pay |
| YES |
Option 2
Enhanced |
NO* |
$1000 |
| Usually Not** |
Option 3
Multi-Focal |
NO* |
$1900 |
*Only the basic Cataract Surgery is covered.
**Glasses will not be needed for the majority of lifestyle activities, but there are exceptions.
Lifestyle Questionnaire
Click on the link below for a questionnaire which will help you think about how you use your eyes in order for you and your ophthalmologist to determine the best option for you.
Lifestyle Questionnaire
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AND WE HAVE THE ANSWERS!
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Mentor (440) 205-5840
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