Medical Edge Newspaper Column

Seeing Cataracts Clearly

READERS:
By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. Adults of any age can develop a cataract, but age is the single greatest risk factor.

A cataract occurs when the normally clear lens in the eye becomes cloudy, which blurs vision by preventing the lens from focusing a clear image on the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. While cataracts don't spread from one eye to another, both eyes are commonly affected.

Most cataracts don't disturb vision in the early stages, but as the clouding progresses, a cataract can interfere with everyday life. The only effective treatment is surgery to remove the clouded lens. Typically, it's replaced with an artificial lens known as an intraocular lens. Made from clear plastic, acrylic or silicone, intraocular lenses become a permanent part of the eye.

Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective surgical procedures performed in the United States. In years past, patients were advised to wait until their sight was significantly affected before having a cataract removed. Today, there are no set recommendations on the best time to remove a cataract. The standard is to have one cataract removed at a time, allowing the first eye to heal prior to the second surgery.

After successful surgery, patients notice a vision improvement within days. Complete healing generally takes four to six weeks.

Regular eye exams remain the best way to detect cataracts early and monitor their progression. For people over 65, an eye exam at least every other year is recommended.

— Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource