Cataracts: Who Gets Them?

A question I am often asked is, "Does everyone get cataracts?  Are they avoidable?" My answer is, "No, not everyone develops cataracts, but most of my patients over 65 do get them. It is a natural part of aging, though not everyone knows that there are some things that have been shown to increase a person's risk of developing them, like air pollution, cigarette smoke and heaving drinking."

However, seniors are not the only people that get cataracts, though age-related cataracts are the most common. Cataracts can be congenital and appear in babies and children. Secondary cataracts can occur due to certain medical conditions and diseases, drugs and environmental factors. People can also develop cataracts as a result of trauma.

In all cases a cataract is a clouded lens, in most cases due to protein  build-up. Since light passes through the lens for your eye to function, as does light through the lens of a camera, a cataract, or clouded lens, will cause blurry, fuzzy or filmy vision. This is the most common symptom and in most cases the vision gets worse over time. Other symptoms of a cataract, though not specific to only cataracts and not limited to these include having difficulty driving at night, glare issues, double vision, colors not looking the way they should, more nearsightedness and corrective lens prescription changes.

The next most popular question regarding cataracts that my patients ask is, "Do I really need surgery now, or can I wait?" My answer is, "That is it really up to you. I tell my patients that they can choose when they want their cataract removed, but when their blurred vision starts interfere with their lifestyle, their decision becomes clear."

The ultimate treatment for a cataract is to remove the clouded lens and replace it with a clear lens, called an intraocular implant (IOL). Most patients are able to receive the implant and will have much improved vision after the surgery. In rare instance an IOL cannot be implanted or there is some other mitigating factor; in this case glasses or contacts will most likely be utilized to enhance vision.

The most common type of cataract surgery is called phacoemulsification, or small-incision surgery. During this process the old lens is broken into small pieces with sound waves, and a new lens is inserted through small incisions. Another type of surgery is standard extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCG) in which an opening is made and the entire lens is removed in one piece. This is sometimes needed for severe cataracts or under other conditions. Most cataract procedures are done in a surgery center, and the patient is out in one day. If you need surgery for both eyes, one eye will be done at a time so you will have vision while the other eye is patched and/or healing.

An ophthalmologist with experience is specially-trained and best-suited to remove cataracts. Dr. Niki Silverstein, board-certified ophthalmologist has performed thousands of cataract operations over the course of three decades. If you are having trouble seeing, please see an ophthalmologist to determine what the cause of the problem is, so that treatment can start immediately to help you have the best vision you can. For more information please visit Dr. Niki Silverstein's website at www.SilversteinEye.com or call 908-879-7297. You can also visit her on Facebook at Silverstein Eye.