What is a Cataract
There is a natural lens in the eye that focuses the images on to the Retina, the ‘seeing film’ of the eye. Cataract is a clouding of this natural lens. As a consequence, the vision will be hazy, blurry or you may experience glare or ghosting of images.
Causes of Cataracts
Most commonly cataracts occur from age. This is a natural aging process which starts when people reach their 50s.
Patients with certain medical conditions such as Diabetes can develop cataracts at a younger age.
Previous eye surgery, injury or radiation can lead to cataract formation
Certain medicines such as Corticosteroids (Prednisone) can cause cataracts
Spending a lot of time in the sun without protection can contribute to cataract development
Most cataracts progress slowly and visual decline tends to be gradual. However, the cataracts can progress rapidly in patients with diabetes or on steroids. It is very difficult to predict how fast any patient’s cataracts will progress.
Treatment
There is no medicine to treat or prevent cataracts. Fortunately, there are advanced surgical options for cataract surgery. In modern cataract surgery the cloudy lens is replaced with a new Intraocular lens for clear vision.
Dr. Hiren Parekh has been performing Cataract surgery for over 17 years. He has performed thousands of operations. As a premier surgeon he offers a very personalized approach to surgery. All patients are meticulously evaluated by him prior to surgery. We use Zeiss IOL Master, which is a state-of-the-art Laser Interferometry technology, to measure the eyes prior to surgery. Using this latest technology, we are able to individualize and customize the intraocular lens powers for each patient.
In modern Cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens implant. The dependence on glasses can often be reduced with the intraocular lenses. There are many options available for lens implants. Choosing the best implant is a complex process. Patient’s intraocular conditions, IOL Master measurements, and medical history as well as individual patient’s lifestyle and visual goals need to be considered in making this important decision. At Arlington Eye Physicians, we will discuss all of the options for the best visual recovery.
Surgery is performed at a Certified surgery center using the latest technology from ALCON. It is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia. Although you will be awake, the eye will be numbed up and you should not have any pain with surgery. Tylenol and Ibuprofen work well for post-operative pain. You will need to use eye drops after surgery and detailed instructions will be given during your visits.
As with any surgery, Cataract surgery is not without risk. Some of the risks include bleeding, scarring infection, loss of vision, loss of eye and need for additional surgery. Cataract surgery is not designed completely eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. You may need glasses for distance, intermediate or reading after cataract surgery.
Visit our clinic or schedule an eye exam now!