Frequently Asked Questions:
Are there any common complications that arise from cataract surgery?
- While cataract surgery is considered one of the safest surgeries, there are complications that could arise similar to any medical procedure. While these possible problems are very rare, they can occur. They include infection, bleeding, inflammation which can include pain, redness and swelling, loss of vision, double vision, and high or low eye pressure. With prompt medical attention, these problems can be treated quickly and effectively. Occasionally, following the surgery, the eye tissue that encloses the IOL or intraocular lens (the artificial lens inserted during surgery), becomes cloudy and may cause blurry vision. This is known as an after-cataract. After-cataracts may develop months or sometimes even years following cataract surgery. These cataracts can be treated by laser. Your eye doctor will use a laser to create a tiny hole in the eye tissue behind the lens in order to allow light to pass through. This is an outpatient procedure known as a YAG laser capsulotomy and is painless and rarely results in further complications.
When will my vision return to normal after cataract surgery?
- Many everyday activities you can return to immediately following surgery but you may feel that your vision is still slightly blurry, this is to be expected as you heal. The healing eye needs time to adjust so that it can learn to focus properly with the other eye, especially if the other eye has a cataract still. You should consult your eye doctor before you resume driving and other potentially hazardous activities. If you received an IOL or artificial lens, you may notice an increased brightness in colors. This is because the new artificial lens is clear unlike your natural lens which may have developed a yellowish/brownish tint to it. Within a few months, you will become accustomed to this improved vision. Once your eye heals completely, you may wish to consult your doctor about new glasses or contact lenses to balance out any changes.
A comprehensive eye exam can detect cataracts and the possible development and progression of cataracts. If you believe you have symptoms of cataracts, schedule an eye exam with your eye doctor or other health care professional. A visual acuity test involves an eye chart test which can calculate how well you are able to see at various distances. A tonometry eye instrument can also be used to measure pressure within the eye.
A dilated eye exam is the concentrated dilation of the pupils. Drops are placed within the eye to widen or dilate the pupils. Then, your eye doctor will use a special magnifying lens to examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage or other eye issues that could be negatively impacting your vision. After this particular type of eye exam, your close-up vision may remain blurred for several hours. Plan transportation and care taking accordingly if you are planning to have your eyes examined in this fashion.
Your doctor may also perform other eye tests to learn more about the overall structure and health of your eye. Make sure to bring up the symptoms you have as well as the medical history of your eye such as changing prescriptions and a timeline of cataract indicators.
As age-related cataracts are the most common form of cataracts, it is thought that simply wear and tear of the lens through decades of use provides the most reason for a cataract to develop. Researchers also suspect smoking and diabetes as well as protein build up to be possibilities for why cataracts form. As we age, proteins from the lens begin to build up, clumping together to cloud a small area of the lens. Over time, this clumping and clouding may grow larger, making it more difficult to see.
However, there are other causes to cataracts. Secondary cataracts form as a result of some surgeries or other eye issues such as glaucoma. They can also develop in individuals with certain health problems such as diabetes or steroid use. Traumatic cataracts can develop after an eye injury, sometimes not showing up until years after the incident. Congenital cataracts are small cataracts which newborns and young children are affected by often impacting both eyes. While they are often small enough to ignore, in some cases, the eye’s lenses need to be removed at an early age. Radiation cataracts can develop after radiation exposure.
A cataract is clouding of the lens inside of the human eye to an extent that affects vision. The lens is the clear part of the eye located behind the pupil, which is used to focus light upon the retina. In a healthy human eye, light passes through this transparent lens to reach the retina which then changes this light into nerve signals sent to the brain. For the retina to receive and translate light or an image, the lens must be clear, if the lens is cloudy due to a cataract, the image received in the brain will be blurred.
Most cataracts are developed on account of aging and are very common in elderly individuals. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. Cataracts are not limited to a particular eye, they can occur in either or both eyes simultaneously however, the condition cannot spread from one to the next.
There are many types of cataracts although most are related to aging:
- Secondary Cataract: Secondary cataracts can form after surgery or from other eye conditions such as glaucoma. These cataracts can also develop in people who are battling other health issues like diabetes.
- Traumatic Cataract: Sometimes, eye injuries can lead to high risk for later development of cataract which can occur even years after the initial incident.
- Congenital Cataract: Affecting newborns and young children, small cataracts may develop in both eyes however might be so miniscule that they do not negatively impact vision. However, in some cases lenses may need to be removed if vision is severely affected.
- Radiation Cataract: Exposure to radiation can sometimes cause cataracts and trauma to the eyes.
Cataracts can be impacting and even a bit scary as you can feel your vision slipping away. It is important to consult your eye doctor or health care professional as soon as you become aware of symptoms. Knowing your treatment options will give you the control to decide on how you want to proceed. As surgery is usually the only affective treatment for more serious cataract cases, research the different types and bring up your thoughts and findings with your doctor. Discuss what would work best for you and your condition.
If you have experienced certain exposure or gone through an event that can cause other types of cataracts such as radiation exposure, eye injury or you have diabetes or glaucoma and suspect you are developing cataracts, notify your doctor immediately as these events could trigger the development of cataracts that differ from the normal age-related cataracts. Precautionary measures can differ person to person, you should consult your doctor on what is best for your eyesight.
There are however, certain measures everyone can adhere to universally in order to better protect your eyes from harmful rays and substances which could lead to development of cataracts. Wear sunglasses and a brimmed hat to block ultraviolet sunlight rays, stop smoking and begin to incorporate green leafy vegetables, fruit and other foods with antioxidants into your diet.
Treatment possibilities and eligibility can depend on age, severity of symptoms and at what point in vision deterioration the condition was caught.
The symptoms of early cataracts may be improved with different eyeglasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses. If these mild treatments don’t help, surgery is essentially the only option and effective means of treatment. Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. If you choose surgery as a treatment option, your eye doctor may refer you to a specialist in order for safe and effective cataract removal. If you have cataracts in both eyes, surgery will be done on one eye at a time, usually four to eight weeks apart to allow proper recovery time.
A cataract needs to be removed only when vision loss interferes with everyday activities such as driving, reading or watching TV. If you feel your cataracts affect you severely to the point where surgery is necessary, consult with your doctor to get an expert opinion. Once you understand the risks and benefits of surgery, you can make an informed decision on how to proceed with treatment.
There are two main types of cataract surgery: phacoemulsification or phaco and extracapsular surgery. Phacoemulsification or phaco surgery involves a small incision made on the side of the cornea which is the clear, dome shaped surface covering the front of the eye. Your doctor then inserts a tiny probe into the eye which emits ultrasound waves softening and breaking up the damaged lens so that it can be removed with suction. This is the most common form of cataract surgery available. Extracapsular surgery involves a longer incision thereby removing the cloudy core of the lens in one piece. The remainder is removed by suction. After the lens removal with either surgery, it is often replaced by an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). An IOL is a clear, plastic lens which after insertion, becomes a permanent part of your eye. Light is focused clearly by the IOL onto the retina, allowing the retina to produce clear–not blurry images to be processed by the brain.
Cataract removal surgery is one of the most common surgical operations performed in the United States. In 90 percent of cases, people who have cataract surgery have better vision following the procedure.
Although cataracts may range in severity from individual to individual, symptoms are universal. Cataracts cause clouding of the lens, the translucent eye particle located directly behind the pupil, covering the retina. Because of this clouding, vision is directly and negatively impacted causing the brain to interpret images as blurred. Therefore, while one individual without cataracts may see a clear image, another who is affected with cataracts, will look at the same image and it will be interpreted as out of focus and very blurred.
Other symptoms include faded colors, glare, poor night vision, double vision and frequent vision prescription changes.
A build up of proteins in the lens can also affect vision. Clumps of proteins can reduce the sharpness of an image as it reaches the retina. The lens, which light and images hit before the retina, is composed of water and protein. When the protein clumps up, it causes clouding in the lens and reduces the light that is allowed through into the retina. The clouding may even be severe enough to cause blurry vision. The is the most common cause of age related cataracts.
Sometimes, a yellowish/brownish color can affect the lens, adding a brownish tint to one’s vision. As the clear lens slowly colors due to age, your vision may slowly incorporate more of a brownish shade to images you see. While this may not greatly impact your vision initially, it will eventually progress to make such activities as reading more difficult. In some cases, it can cause blue purple color blindness.
Living with cataracts can be a nuisance and even frightening, realizing your vision is damaged can be overwhelming and scary. However, knowing your options and if you are at greater risk, can aid you in developing preventative strategies and seeking out proper and effective treatment. Do not delay seeking treatment of cataracts if you are not yet to the point of feeling “age-related” as age-related cataracts are the most common. Age-related does not imply only senior citizens can be diagnosed with the condition. In fact, many people with age-related cataracts develop them in their 40s and 50s. For the majority of cataracts, even if they are developed early, they do not significantly affect vision until around age 60.
If you have cataracts or suspect they are developing, get into the habit of seeing your eye doctor regularly. Often, surgery is not needed immediately and if your doctor is able to see and regulate your cataracts, treatment options may be more mild and eyesight can be greatly improved with proper lenses and a change in lighting.
If you are 60 or older, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once every two years to check for cataracts. In addition to seeking out cataracts, your eye doctor can check for signs of age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and other vision disorders that often affect the elderly. Early treatment for many eye diseases may save your sight.