By age 80, more than half of all Americans will have had a cataract, yet many people still do not know what they are or what causes them. Cataracts are common among those over age 50 and are characterized by clouding of the eye’s lens. This results in blurry vision. Surgery is a reliable and frequently performed cure for cataracts.

What are Cataracts and What Causes Them?
Cataracts are degenerative changes in the structure of the eye that form when protein in the lens begins to clump together, clouding a small area of the eye. This cloud will continue to grow and interfere with vision. They can occur in one or both eyes. While the most common cause of cataracts is age, they can also be caused by eye trauma, certain medications, and various environmental and lifestyle factors. Additionally, some cataracts are congenital. Learn more about the cataracts and what causes them.

Symptoms of Cataracts
Protein clumps that cloud the eye reduce the sharpness of vision in several ways. An individual with cataracts may experience blurry vision or be unable to see bright colors at their true intensity. Lights may seem excessively bright, and halos may appear around them. Double vision is another symptom that indicates a cataract has formed. Learn more about cataract symptoms.

How are Cataracts Diagnosed?
Cataracts can be detected with a full optical examination, including pupil dilation, a visual acuity test, and a tonometry test. Since early cataract diagnosis and monitoring can protect your vision, regular exams are advisable. Catching cataracts early helps patients more easily find a cure. For information about cataracts and cataract diagnosis, contact a qualified ophthalmologist in your area.

Cataracts Progression
At first, a cataract only affects a small portion of the eye’s lens. Over time, the cataract grows, often so gradually that the patient does not notice it. When the entire lens has become clouded, ophthalmologists refer to the cataract as a “ripe” or “mature” cataract. At this stage, cataracts can cause severe vision problems. Learn about the progression of cataracts by reviewing the cataract stages of development and determine whether it is time to seek treatment.

Types of Cataracts
Finding out what type of cataract you have helps determine the most appropriate course of treatment. The most common type of cataract is age-related, though there are also congenital cataracts, which form at birth or during early childhood. Other types of cataracts include secondary cataracts, which are particularly common in diabetics, and traumatic cataracts that are the result of eye injury. Find out more about the various cataract types.

Is There a Treatment or Cure for Cataracts?
The only cure for cataracts is surgery. Cataract surgery is indispensable in providing patients with freedom from clouded, blurred, or dimmed vision. There are many types of cataract eye surgery that may be used to best treat a patient’s condition. A skilled ophthalmologist will discuss your cataract treatment to help decide which option is best for you. Learn more about cataract surgery treatments currently available.

Recovery after Cataract Surgery
After cataract surgery, patients generally feel mild discomfort. Usually, though, over-the-counter pain relievers are sufficient for numbing any pain or itching you might feel. Cataract surgery patients sometimes experience temporary fluid discharge and sensitivity to light following their operation. Learn how to facilitate the cataract surgery recovery process.

Cataract Surgery Cost
The cost of cataract surgery can vary based on a number of factors. For example, the type of replacement lens used and the type of cataract will influence the final cost of treatment. Learn more about cataract surgery cost.

Cataract Surgery is provided locally at Logan County Hospital by Dr. William Clifford of Fry Eye Associates, P.A.  

For more information, or to make an appointment, please contact the Logan County Hospital Surgical Services Department at 785-672-3211.