Our bodies change with age, and our eyes are no exception. Over time, it is common to experience a decline in visual clarity that can make it difficult to read, drive and work. These changes can be disheartening, but luckily, the team at The Eye Health Centre offers safe, effective solutions.
In the case of a common age-related condition called cataract, we offer state-of-the-art cataract surgery to put you back on the path to clear vision.
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. Most cataracts develop as a result of the natural aging process. Around the age of 60, the lens starts to become cloudy in some spots; in subsequent years, the clouding spreads. As a greater portion of the lens becomes cloudy, light entering the eye can no longer focus properly on the retina. This causes objects to appear hazy, cloudy or blurry.
Additional symptoms of cataracts include the following:
Not all cataracts are caused by the effects of age. Early-onset cataracts may be caused by an eye injury or eye surgery, pre-existing medical condition such as diabetes or prolonged use of medications such as corticosteroids.
In the early stages of cataracts, glasses can usually provide the visual clarity needed for everyday activities. But as cataracts worsen, you may find that objects are blurry or hazy whether you wear your glasses or not.
Cataracts are diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam. Your pupils will be dilated to allow our doctors a clear look at the internal structures of your eyes. We will examine your lens as well as your cornea and iris to look for abnormalities. We will also test the sharpness and clarity of your vision before confirming whether you have cataracts.
If we confirm that you do, in fact, have cataracts, there is no need to settle for a life of blurry vision and try to accommodate to your new reality. Cataract surgery is a safe, routine procedure that can restore the clear vision you need to live an active, independent life.
During cataract surgery, our doctors break up and remove the natural lens from your eye and replace it with an artificial lens implant. Depending on the lens you choose, you may be able to see well enough to go about daily life without glasses.
You have several intraocular lens (IOL) options. Monofocal IOLs restore vision at a single fixed range: either near, intermediate or distant. With monofocal IOLs, you need glasses after surgery to see at the other ranges. Multifocal IOLs restore vision at multiple ranges simultaneously; they significantly reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses after surgery. Our eye doctors will explain all of the available IOL options to you during your pre-operative consultation and help you select the lens that is best suited to your visual needs, goals and lifestyle.
Cataract surgery is a safe and relatively short procedure. Numbing eye drops and sedation medication are administered to keep you completely comfortable. You will not feel or remember much from surgery. Cataract surgery is a day procedure, so you are able to return home shortly after the procedure to recuperate. Most patients recover their vision within a few days of surgery and are able to resume their normal activities.
Most cataracts are unavoidable due to the effects of the aging process. There is some evidence that suggests early onset cataracts form due to factors such as traumatic eye injury, prolonged use of corticosteroid medications, smoking and excessive exposure to ultraviolet light. Protecting your eyes from the sun, not smoking and not taking corticosteroid medications long term may reduce your chances of early onset cataracts.
Another risk factor that experts believe may accelerate the onset of cataracts is the effects of diabetes on the eyes. If you have diabetes, work with your medical team to keep it well-controlled and reduce your risk of early onset cataracts.
A cataract needs to be removed only if it causes visual impairment that interferes with the ability to perform daily activities (such as driving, reading or working).
An immature cataract that does not noticeably impede vision usually does not need to be treated.
There is currently no medical solution for cataracts. The only way to treat cataracts is to surgically remove the eye’s natural lens and replace it with an artificial lens implant. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most routine procedures performed around the world today. It has an extremely high success rate.
Your eyes will be completely numb during surgery, and you will not feel any discomfort. You will also be given an oral medication to help you relax. A special device gently holds your eyelids open in case you are worried about blinking.
If both of your eyes have cataracts, one eye will be treated at a time. The second eye will be treated several weeks after the first. This ensures normal or near-to-normal vision in one of your eyes as the other heals.
Whether you need to wear glasses depends on the type of intraocular lens (IOL) you have implanted during cataract surgery. If you select a standard IOL, you will likely need to wear glasses for reading and other close-up work. If you select a multifocal IOL, you are less likely to need reading glasses.
No. IOLs cannot develop cataracts like normal lenses can. A small percentage of patients experience cataract-like symptoms after surgery due to a clouding of the membrane that holds the IOL in place. Fortunately, this can be treated during a short office procedure.
If you would like to learn more about cataracts and their treatment, we invite you to schedule a consultation at The Eye Health Centre. We have offices serving Brisbane, Booval, Aspley, Wynnum and all surrounding areas. Contact our practice today.