What is a cataract?
A cataract is a foggy lens inside the eye. The lens is positioned behind the iris to focus light that passes through the pupil (see drawing above). The lens inside the eye works like a lens in a camera. The normal lens is clear, but it may lose its clarity over time. When the lens loses its clarity, it causes hazy and cloudy vision, often with glare from on-coming lights. The distance vision is often affected more than the near vision.
What causes cataract?
Cataract is common with age. The older a person becomes, the more likely cataracts will form. Other causes include heredity (family history of cataract), inflammation, blunt injury to the eye, sun exposure, tobacco, high blood pressure, diabetes, and medications (such as corticosteroids (prednisone) and some anti-depressants known as SSRI inhibitors).
How is cataract treated?
The only treatment of cataract is surgery in the operating room, with or without the assistance of laser. There is no way to remove a cataract with vitamins, pills, or eye drops. However, a change in glasses may minimize the blurred vision caused by cataract in the early stages. There is no emergency to treat a cataract. It will not harm the eye to hold-off from having surgery except in extremely severe cases. At the time of cataract surgery, a lens implant will be placed inside the eye to improve the ability of the eye to focus.
When is surgery needed?
Surgery is needed when the haziness in the vision from cataract has become bad enough to require improvement in vision that cannot be achieved with glasses. This is a decision made by the patient with help from the doctor.
For a telemedicine consultation with Dr Pautler, please send email request to spautler@rvaf.com. We accept Medicare and most insurances in Florida. Please include contact information (including phone number) in the email. We are unable to provide consultation for those living outside the state of Florida.
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