Cataracts and Your Vision

Let’s Talk About Cataracts

Cataracts occur in the lens of the eye. The lens is located behind the pupil and the iris. The lens takes the light coming into the eye and bend it so that it forms an image on the retina. The retina then transmits the image to the brain.  A cataract will blur this image.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Have you become more sensitive to light and find that your night vision has decreased? Then you may have a cataract.  Here are some additional signs and symptoms:

• Blurred vision (especially at distance)
• sensitivity to light
• trouble with glare
• finding that colors are not as bright as they once were
• frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions
• increase in glare while driving at night from oncoming headlights

Most cataracts associated with aging develop slowly, many patients do not notice their visual loss until it has become severe. Patients describe seeing through a cataract is like looking through a cloudy or dirty glass. Some cataracts remain small and never need treatment; others grow more quickly and progressively larger. Only when a cataract interferes with normal activities is it time to consider surgery.

If you have been diagnosed with cataracts, extra light can aid in reading. Since cataracts block light, the extra light will make it easier to read. Make sure that the light is coming from behind you as opposed to from in front. Light coming from in front of you can reflect off of your reading material and cause glare. It is helpful to have a lamp with a goose neck so that you can adjust the light to see better.

Why do we get Cataracts?

No one knows exactly why the eye’s lens changes as we age, forming cataracts. Researchers are slowly starting to identify factors that may cause cataracts — and information that may help to prevent them. Many studies suggest that exposure to ultraviolet light is associated with cataract development, so eye care practitioners recommend wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to decrease your exposure. Cataract incidence increases for users of steroids, diuretics and major tranquilizers, but more studies are needed to distinguish the effect of the disease from the consequences of the drugs themselves.

Surgical Options for Patients with Cataracts

If you are diagnosed with a cataract, the procedure to remove them has improved enormously over the past decades. In cataract surgery, the natural lens where the cataract forms is removed and replaced with an intraocular lenses, or IOL. If you have your cataracts removed and don’t replace them with anything, then you would have to wear very thick eyeglasses. The first FDA approval for IOLs occurred in 1981.

IOLs in most cases only correct distance vision. This leaves you with the need to use glasses for any near vision tasks. However, there is a new premium lens IOL called the AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens that can reduce your dependency on glasses. While 80% of patients will not need to wear glasses, you may need to wear glasses for certain tasks, such as working on a computer, or night driving.  

Do you have a cataract and an astigmatism? Until recently, the only vision correction options for astigmatism correction after cataract surgery were eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, the AcrySof® Toric IOL now makes it possible to correct astigmatism during cataract surgery.

Does my Insurance pay for Cataract Surgery?

When a visually significant cataract is found and surgery is necessary, your insurance covers the traditional costs for cataract surgery with a basic IOL lens. Insurance will not cover the additional cost for the premium lenses.

Please contact our office for your appointment today:
1013 Farmington Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06107
(860) 233-2020
 
www.SolinskyEyeCare.com

Reference: http://www.acrysofrestor.com/, http://www.allaboutvision.com

Read a patient testimonial about her experience with AcrySof® ReSTOR®.