A cataract is a clouding and hardening of the lens in the eye leading to vision loss. Most cataracts are related to aging. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.
What is the lens?
The lens is a clear part of the eye that helps to focus light, or an image, on the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. In a normal eye, light passes through the transparent lens to the retina. Once it reaches the retina, light is changed into nerve signals that are sent to the brain. The lens must be clear for the retina to receive a sharp image. If the lens is cloudy from a cataract, the image you see will be blurred.
Cataracts are usually a very gradual process of normal aging but can occasionally develop rapidly. They commonly affect both eyes, but it is not uncommon for a cataract in one eye to advance more rapidly.
Precisely why cataracts occur is multifactorial and not fully understood. However, most cataracts appear to be caused by changes in the protein structures within the lens. These protein changes occur over many years and cause the clear lens to become cloudy.
Who is affected by cataracts?
Everyone eventually develops cataracts. The age at which each individual develops cataracts can vary. Most commonly, cataracts develop in older adulthood but some younger people can develop cataracts as well.
Rarely, cataracts may be present at birth or in early childhood. This is usually a result of genetic diseases or systemic congenital infections. Severe trauma to the eye, eye surgery, or intraocular inflammation can also cause cataracts to develop more rapidly.
Other factors that may lead to development of cataracts at an earlier age include excessive ultraviolet light exposure, exposure to ionizing radiation, diabetes, smoking or the use of certain medications, such as oral, topical, or inhaled steroids.
What are the symptoms of a cataract?
The most common symptoms of a cataract are:
- Cloudy or blurry vision.
- Colors seem faded.
- Glare. Headlights, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright. A halo may appear around lights.
- Poor night vision.
- Double vision or multiple images in one eye. (This symptom may clear as the cataract gets larger.)
- Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses.
How are cataracts diagnosed?
A thorough examination with an eye care specialist is required to make a diagnosis of cataracts. The cloudy lens can be visualized on examination and graded to determine how significant the cataract is. A full examination will help you and your specialist determine whether further intervention is necessary.
What is Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the cloudy lens from the eye and, in most cases, replace it with a new, clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens. Cataract surgery is performed by an eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) on an outpatient basis, which means you don’t have to stay in the hospital after the surgery.
Surgery is recommended for most individuals who have visual symptoms secondary to cataracts. When a cataract interferes with the treatment of another eye problem, cataract surgery may be recommended.
For example, doctors may recommend cataract surgery if a cataract makes it difficult for your eye doctor to examine the back of your eye to monitor or treat other eye problems, such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.
The mode of surgery can be tailored to individuals based on coexisting medical problems. Cataract surgery is generally performed with minimal sedation and typically takes less than an hour. Therefore the surgery does not put significant strain on the heart or the lungs.
If you have cataracts in both eyes, your doctor usually schedules a second surgery two to four weeks later to remove the cataract in your other eye. This allows time for the first eye to heal before the second eye surgery takes place.
What to expect during cataract surgery?
During cataract surgery, the clouded lens is removed, and a clear artificial lens is usually implanted. In some cases, however, a cataract may be removed without implanting an artificial lens.
The most common procedure used for removing cataracts is called phacoemulsification. A small incision is made in the side of the cornea and a tiny instrument that uses high-frequency ultrasound is inserted to break up the center of the cloudy lens and carefully suction it out. In some cases, a laser called a femtosecond laser can be used to assist with this process.
After the cloudy lens has been removed, the surgeon will replace it with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant made of plastic, silicone, or acrylic. This new, clear lens allows light to pass through and focus properly on the retina.
The IOL requires no care and becomes a permanent part of your eye. In most cases, the IOL is inserted behind the iris, the colored part of your eye, and is called a posterior chamber lens. Sometimes, the IOL must be placed in front of the iris. This is called an anterior chamber lens. When the IOL is in place, the surgeon closes the incision. Stitches may or may not be used.
Intraocular Lens Implants
A variety of intraocular lenses (IOLs) with different features are available. Some IOLs are rigid plastic and implanted through an incision that requires several stitches (sutures) to close. However, many IOLs are flexible, allowing a smaller incision that requires few or no stitches.
Monofocal lens
This common IOL type has been used for several decades.
Monofocals are set to provide the best-corrected vision at one distance – near, intermediate, or far.
Most people who choose monofocals have their IOLs set for distance vision and use reading glasses for near activities.
A person whose IOLs were set to correct near vision would be able to read without glasses but would need glasses to see distant objects clearly.
Another strategy, called “monovision,” sets one eye for distance vision and the other for near vision. The brain adapts and synthesizes the information from both eyes to provide vision at intermediate distances. Often this reduces the need for reading glasses. Individuals considering monovision should try this technique with contact lenses first to see how well they can adapt to monovision. Those who require crisp, detailed vision may decide monovision is not for them.
Multifocal lenses
These IOL types reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.
In the multifocal type, a series of focal zones or rings is designed into the IOL. Depending on where incoming light focuses through the zones, the person may be able to see both near and distant objects clearly.
The ability to read and perform other tasks without glasses varies from person to person but is generally best when multifocal IOLs are placed in both eyes. It usually takes 6 to 12 weeks after surgery on the second eye for the brain to adapt and for vision improvement to be complete with either of these IOL types.
For many people, these IOL types reduce but do not eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. Individuals with other significant eye conditions such as macular degeneration or severe glaucoma may not be a good candidate for multifocal lenses.
Each person’s success with these IOLs may depend on the size of his/her pupils and other eye health factors.
Side effects such as glare or halos around lights or decreased contrast sensitivity may occur, especially at night or in dim light. Most people adapt to and are not bothered by these effects, but those who frequently drive at night or need to focus on close-up work may be more satisfied with monofocal IOLs.
Toric IOL for astigmatism
Astigmatism is an eye condition that distorts or blurs the ability to see both near and distant objects. With astigmatism the cornea (the clear front window of the eye) is not round and smooth (like a basketball), but instead is curved like a football.
Toric lenses are designed to minimize or eliminate the visual distortion caused by astigmatism. Toric lenses are available in both Monofocal and Multifocal intraocular lenses.
Light Adjustable Lenses
The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is the only currently available IOL that allows for post surgical adjustment of the lens. With this innovative lens, the patient has the opportunity to “test drive” their new vision after surgery. An in-office Light Delivery Device then utilizes a specialized UV light to fine tune the shape of the new IOL to optimize and personalize the final visual outcome.
Protective IOL filters
IOLs include filters to protect the eye’s retina from exposure to UV and other potentially damaging light radiation.
Risks of cataract surgery
Complications after cataract surgery are uncommon, and most can be treated successfully.
Cataract surgery risks include:
- Inflammation
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Retinal detachment
- Loss of vision
Your risk of complications is greater if you have another eye disease or a serious medical condition affecting any part of your body. Occasionally, cataract surgery fails to improve vision because of underlying eye damage from other conditions, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration.
Post-Surgery Recovery
After cataract surgery, expect your vision to begin improving within a few days. Your vision may be blurry at first as your eye heals and adjusts.
You’ll usually see your eye doctor a day or two after your surgery, the following week, and then again after about a month to monitor healing.
It’s normal to feel itching and mild discomfort for a couple of days after surgery. Avoid rubbing or pushing on your eye. Your doctor may ask you to wear an eye patch or protective shield on the day of surgery.
Your doctor may prescribe eye drops or other medication to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and control eye pressure. After a couple of days, most of the discomfort should disappear. Often, complete healing occurs within eight weeks.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Vision loss
- Pain that persists despite the use of over-the-counter pain medications
- Increased eye redness
- Light flashes or multiple new spots (floaters) in front of your eye
- Nausea, vomiting or excessive coughing
Most people need glasses, at least some of the time, after cataract surgery. Your doctor will let you know when your eyes have healed enough for you to get a final prescription for eyeglasses.
Cataract surgery successfully restores vision in the majority of people who have the procedure.
People who have had cataract surgery may develop a common complication known as posterior capsule opacification (PCO), or secondary cataract. This happens when the back of the lens capsule — the part of the lens that wasn’t removed during surgery and that now supports the lens implant — becomes cloudy and impairs your vision.
PCO is treated with a painless, one-minute in-office procedure called yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser capsulotomy. In YAG laser capsulotomy, a laser beam is used to make a small opening in the clouded capsule to provide a clear path through which the light can pass.
Cataract Surgery in Chicago
Cataract surgery is one of the most common and effective procedures in eye care, designed to restore clear vision by removing the eye’s cloudy natural lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens (IOL). At University Ophthalmology Associates, our board-certified ophthalmologists use advanced surgical techniques and the latest lens technology, including premium lens options, to tailor treatment to each patient’s unique visual needs and lifestyle.
Whether you are experiencing blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or trouble with night driving, cataract surgery can significantly enhance your vision and quality of life—often with a quick recovery time and lasting results.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward clearer vision, schedule your cataract surgery consultation with University Ophthalmology Associates today. Our team is here to guide you through every stage of care with expertise, compassion, and precision.
