Cataracts

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A cataract is any opacity of the eye’s natural lens, which is located just through the pupil, behind the colored iris. At birth, this lens is generally crystal clear, but over time it develops a yellowish hue – often becoming apparent beyond age 40 or 50 – and may develop more obvious, localized opacities as well. These opacities cause light to scatter before it reaches the back of the eye, thereby resulting in blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light levels and glare. Cataract development is largely age-related, although several risk factors may speed its progression: chronic steroid use, Diabetes Mellitus, smoking, and extensive UV exposure, among others. Although certain vitamins have been proposed to slow the progression of cataracts, no known studies have validated these claims.

Depending on your history and exam findings, you may benefit from the following treatment options:   

• Anti-reflective Treatment (AR): lenses with AR treatment are known as non-glare lenses, and they greatly decrease the amount of visible reflected light. This results not only in an improved cosmetic appearance – as other people are able to see your eyes instead of reflected light – but it also increases contrast for the wearer by up to 10%. Non-glare lenses improve visual quality in both light and dark situations and are especially recommended for patients with cataracts, those who report difficulty driving at night, or those who frequently use a computer or work in an office environment.
• Polarized Sunglasses: light reflected from surfaces such as water or a flat road becomes polarized, meaning that all the light particles are aligned in a specific direction. Polarized lenses work to selectively block this polarized light, thereby eliminating glare and improving visual comfort and contrast. In general, polarized lenses are recommended exclusively for outdoor activities; however, patients who frequently move from indoors to outdoors or whose indoor setting includes large windows with heavy sun exposure may benefit from this technology as well. Polarized lenses should not be worn at night.
• Cataract Surgery with Monofocal Implant: through this process, an ophthalmologist will remove your cloudy natural lens and replace it with a crystal clear implant. A monofocal implant will allow you to focus at one distance, generally far away, requiring glasses or contacts for near viewing. Pre- and post-operative care will generally be provided by your optometrist.
• Cataract Surgery with Multifocal Implant: through this process, an ophthalmologist will remove your cloudy natural lens and replace it with a crystal clear implant. A multifocal implant allows focus at both distance and near, with a goal of decreasing your reliance on reading glasses. Pre- and post-operative care will generally be provided by your optometrist.