Learn About Cataract

What is the definition of Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye.

What are the alternative names for Cataract?

Lens opacity; Age-related cataract; Vision loss - cataract

What are the causes of Cataract?

The lens of the eye is normally clear. It acts like the lens on a camera, focusing light as it passes to the back of the eye.

Until a person is around age 45, the shape of the lens is able to change. This allows the lens to focus on an object, whether it is close or far away.

As a person ages, proteins in the lens begin to break down. This makes the lens less flexible so that it is harder to focus on near objects. Over time, the lens becomes cloudy. What the eye sees may appear blurry at all distances. This condition is known as a cataract.

Factors that may speed cataract formation are:

  • Diabetes
  • Eye inflammation
  • Eye injury
  • Family history of cataracts
  • Long-term use of corticosteroids (taken by mouth) or certain other medicines
  • Radiation exposure
  • Smoking
  • Surgery for another eye problem
  • Too much exposure to ultraviolet light (sunlight)
What are the symptoms of Cataract?

Cataracts develop slowly and painlessly. Vision in the affected eye slowly gets worse.

  • Mild clouding of the lens often occurs after age 60. But it may not cause any vision problems.
  • By age 75, most people have cataracts that affect their vision.

Problems with seeing may include:

  • Being sensitive to glare
  • Cloudy, fuzzy, foggy, or filmy vision
  • Difficulty seeing at night or in dim light
  • Double vision
  • Loss of color intensity
  • Problems seeing shapes against a background or the difference between shades of colors
  • Seeing halos around lights
  • Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions

Cataracts lead to decreased vision, even in daylight. Most people with cataracts have similar changes in both eyes, though one eye may be worse than the other. Often there are only mild vision changes.

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What are the current treatments for Cataract?

For an early cataract, the eye doctor (ophthalmologist) may recommend the following:

  • Change in eyeglass prescription
  • Better lighting
  • Magnifying lenses
  • Sunglasses

As vision gets worse, you may need to make changes around the home to avoid falls and injuries.

The only treatment for a cataract is surgery to remove it. If a cataract is not making it hard for you to see, surgery is usually not needed. Cataracts usually do not harm the eye, so you can have surgery when you and your eye doctor decide it is right for you. Surgery is usually recommended when you can't do normal activities such as driving, reading, or looking at computer or video screens, even with glasses.

Some research found that having cataract surgery is associated with a lower risk of dementia but more research is needed to determine if this association was cause and effect.

Some people may have other eye problems, such as diabetic retinopathy, that can't be treated without first having cataract surgery.

Who are the top Cataract Local Doctors?

University Medical Associates Of The Medical University Of South Carol

1600 Midtown Ave, 
Mount Pleasant, SC 
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Karolinne Rocha is an Ophthalmologist in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Dr. Rocha and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cataract. Her top areas of expertise are Cataract, Keratoconus, Presbyopia, Cataract Removal, and Corneal Transplant. Dr. Rocha is currently accepting new patients.

Harvard Eye Associates

Laguna Hills, CA 

John Hovanesian is an Ophthalmologist in Laguna Hills, California. Dr. Hovanesian and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cataract. His top areas of expertise are Cataract, Pterygium, Presbyopia, Dry Eye Syndrome, and Cataract Removal.

 
 
 
 
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Advanced Vision Care

2080 Century Park East, Suite 911, 
Los Angeles, CA 

Nicole Fram is an Ophthalmologist in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Fram and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cataract. Her top areas of expertise are Cataract, Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis, Meibomianitis, Cataract Removal, and Trabeculectomy.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Cataract?

Vision may not improve to 20/20 after cataract surgery if other eye diseases, such as macular degeneration, are present. The eye doctor can often determine this in advance.

What are the possible complications of Cataract?

Early diagnosis and properly timed treatment are key to preventing permanent vision problems.

Although rare, a cataract that goes on to an advanced stage (called a hypermature cataract) can begin to leak into other parts of the eye. This may cause a painful form of glaucoma and inflammation inside the eye.

When should I contact a medical professional for Cataract?

Contact your eye care professional for an appointment if you have:

  • Decreased night vision
  • Problems with glare
  • Vision loss
How do I prevent Cataract?

The best prevention involves controlling diseases that increase the risk for a cataract. Avoiding exposure to things that promote cataract formation can also help. For example, if you smoke, now is the time to quit. Also, when outdoors, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.

What are the latest Cataract Clinical Trials?
IC-8 Apthera IOL New Enrollment Post Approval Study

Summary: The purpose of this study is to verify the post-market safety of the IC-8 Apthera IOL after the treatment of posterior capsular opacification (PCO), an expected complication related to IC-8 Apthera IOL implantation.

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Observational, Non-controlled, Prospective Clinical Investigation to Evaluate Long-term Safety and Performance of Mini 4 Ready Intraocular Lenses in Cataract Patients

Summary: Cataract surgery presents an extremely high success rate in improving vision and quality of life and it is currently the most commonly performed ophthalmic surgery, especially considering its growing utility in the aging population (e.g., more than 20 million worldwide underwent the procedure in 2015); it is possible to affirm that benefits clearly outweigh risks. However, although cataract surger...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: August 04, 2023
Published By: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern Cataract and Anterior Segment Committee. American Academy of Ophthalmology website. Cataract in the adult eye PPP - 2021. www.aao.org/preferred-practice-pattern/cataract-in-adult-eye-ppp-2021-in-press. Updated November 2021. Accessed August 8, 2023.

American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern Cataract and Anterior Segment Panel, Hoskins Center for Quality Eye Care. American Academy of Ophthalmology website. Cataract /Anterior Segment Summary Benchmark 2022. www.aao.org/summary-benchmark-detail/cataract-anterior-segment-summary-benchmark-2020. Updated December 2022. Accessed August 8, 2023.

Ma LZ, Zhang YR, Li YZ, et al. Cataract, cataract surgery, and risk of incident dementia: a prospective cohort study of 300,823 participants. Biol Psychiatry. 2023;93(9):810-819. PMID: 35940935 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35940935/.

Wevill M. Epidemiology, pathophysiology, causes, morphology, and visual effects of cataract. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 5.5.