A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. The lens works much like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The lens also adjusts the eye’s focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away. The lens is mostly made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it. But as we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract, and over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see.
Researchers are gaining additional insights about what causes these specific types of proteins (crystallins) to cluster in abnormal ways to cause lens cloudiness and cataracts. One recent finding suggests that fragmented versions of these proteins bind with normal proteins, disrupting normal function.
A cataract starts out small and at first has little effect on your vision. You may notice that your vision is blurred a little, like looking through a cloudy piece of glass or viewing an impressionist painting. A cataract may make light from the sun or a lamp seem too bright. Or you may notice when you drive at night that the oncoming headlights cause more glare than before. Colors may not appear as bright as they once did.
The type of cataract you have will affect exactly which symptoms you experience and how soon they will occur. When a nuclear cataract first develops, it can bring about a temporary improvement in your near vision, called “second sight.” Unfortunately, the improved vision is short-lived and will disappear as the cataract worsens. On the other hand, a subcapsular cataract may not produce any symptoms until it’s well-developed.
The good news about cataracts is that when they do become visually significant, surgery can help restore your vision—in many cases better than ever. Standard intraocular lenses can help focus the images at a distance for many people and are covered by major medical insurance. For those with corneal astigmatism, a astigmatism reducing [toric] lens can help sharpen the distance vision and reduce the need for distance glasses.
These people are often free of the constant ghosting they’ve been accustomed to all their lives. Over the counter reading glasses are generally worn for up close work such as reading. For those that are good candidates and are trying to be glasses-free, there are even intraocular lenses that will help see at near, distance, and intermediate. The Restor lens is an excellent option when there is minimal astigmatism present in an otherwise healthy eye. At Clarity Eye Care and Surgery, after a careful examination, we will discuss your cataract surgery at length as well which intraocular lens options would work best for your and your lifestyle.
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SwanLee Offices
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Tucson, AZ 85712
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