Can cataracts cause other health problems?
Although vision impairment from cataracts is gradual, cataracts can also cause sudden symptoms such as double vision or flashes of light, eye pain, and headaches.
What body systems are affected by cataracts?
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. This is an area that is normally clear. As this clouding happens, it keeps light rays from passing through the lens and focusing on the retina. The retina is a tissue lining that is sensitive to light.
What are the side effects of having cataracts removed?
Side effects are rare from cataract surgery, but some things that could happen are:
- Eye infection or swelling.
- Bleeding.
- Retinal detachment — the breaking away of a layer of tissue at the back of your eye that senses light.
- Drooping eyelid.
- Temporary rise in eye pressure 12-24 hours after surgery.
How does cataracts affect daily life?
Vision becomes very blurry or cloudy, this can impact activities of daily living; such as driving, reading and chores. Colors appear much duller than before. In very rare cases, untreated cataracts can cause glaucoma and even blindness.
When should you have cataracts removed?
Your doctor does not have to wait for symptoms of cataracts to be severe before removing the lens. In most cases, you need surgery when blurry vision and other symptoms of a cataract starts to interfere with daily activities like reading or driving. There is no drug or eye drop to prevent or treat cataracts.
What is the main cause of cataract?
Most cataracts develop when aging or injury changes the tissue that makes up the eye’s lens. Proteins and fibers in the lens begin to break down, causing vision to become hazy or cloudy. Some inherited genetic disorders that cause other health problems can increase your risk of cataracts.
What is the average age a person get cataracts?
In most people, cataracts start developing around age 60, and the average age for cataract surgery in the United States is 73. However, changes in the lenses of our eyes start to affect us in our 40’s.
Can you lose your eyesight from cataracts?
Over time, cataracts become worse and start to interfere with vision. Important skills can be affected, such as driving, and loss of vision can affect the overall quality of life in many ways including reading, working, hobbies and sports. If left untreated, cataracts will eventually cause total blindness.
What are the long term effects of cataract surgery?
When cataract surgery complications do occur, they can include:
- Posterior capsule opacification (PCO)
- Intraocular lens dislocation.
- Eye inflammation.
- Light sensitivity.
- Photopsia (perceived flashes of light)
- Macular edema (swelling of the central retina)
- Ptosis (droopy eyelid)
- Ocular hypertension (elevated eye pressure)
Does cataract surgery restore 20/20 Vision?
Vision Quality After Surgery
Most patients can achieve 20/20 vision as long as they have no other conditions. Conditions that can affect the quality of vision after cataract surgery include: Glaucoma. Corneal scarring.
Can you get rid of cataracts without surgery?
No, you cannot reverse cataracts without surgery. Currently, there is no non-surgical cure for cataracts that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or other government body medical procedure regulators.
How cataracts are removed?
How are cataracts removed? During cataract surgery, the surgeon removes the clouded lens and replaces it with an artificial lens implant. The new lens is clear, shaped to fit your eye and personalized to your vision needs. Cataract removal takes about an hour.