Test Driving a Cataract

Gratefully, I have not yet reached the point of requiring or even thinking about requiring cataract surgery. Most of us (human beings) will need to have the cataract conversation with our optometrist sometime in our early to mid seventies; and, well, let’s just say I still have an 8-month-old baby at home. Recently, however, I had an experience that gave me a brief and unsettling glimpse at what may lay ahead for me in a few decades.

With my family out of town, I decided to head up to the mountains for some late-season skiing. Although recent snows made for a great day on the slopes, they also contributed to some slushy driving on the way up.

Unfortunately, I did not check that my windshield wiper fluid was up to an adequate level; and with all the muck being thrown onto my windshield from fellow cars, I soon found that my wiper fluid ran out completely. I did my best to wipe the windshield immediately, while the muddy water was still wet; but I was soon left with a frighteningly opaque film that made it difficult to navigate the road, especially when hit with glare from the sun.

As soon as I could, I pulled over in a safe area to grab some snow that I could use to wipe off the mud. Although this got me back down to ground zero, within minutes of returning to the road I was back in the same predicament, and I knew there would be no stopping until I got to the next town. Obviously I’m here to tell the tale, so all’s well that ends well, but I can tell you it was not a comfortable experience at the time.

By now you’re probably asking yourself what in the world this has to do with cataracts. Well, on pretty much a daily basis, I use the analogy of a dirty windshield to describe cataracts. If that windshield is dirty, it doesn’t matter how good your prescription is – you can’t see as well as you should. Glare definitely becomes an issue. And because that windshield (cataract) gets worse bit by bit, sometimes it seems like you’re doing fine, and all of a sudden you realize you’re in trouble.

I didn’t realize just how apt this windshield analogy was until I lived through it myself. If you or a loved one has ever been told they have cataracts, an annual comprehensive eye exam is vitally important to ensure that vision hasn’t gotten worse than you think!

 

What you should know about cataracts

Model of eye with cloudy lens

Click here to read more about specific treatment options for individuals with cataracts.

If you are fifty years or older, you should probably sit down before reading the following sentence.

(waiting…)

Technically speaking, most people above age 50 have some mild cataract formation(!). I say “technically speaking,” because it’s largely an academic statement. At age 50, most people’s vision is largely unaffected by cataracts even if they’re present.

Which begs the question – what ARE cataracts? Inside each eye is a small lens. At birth, the lens is so crystal clear that it’s hardly visible in a newborn. Over time, the natural development of the lens causes mild yellowing and/or clouding of the lens. This loss of clarity in the lens is what we call a cataract.

Again, we’re talking about natural development – I do not consider cataracts a disease any more than I consider wrinkles a disease. If you live long enough, chances are that you will benefit from cataract surgery at some point. If your parents required the surgery at an especially early age (I would say anyone younger than 65 is pretty young for cataract surgery), you may too.

In their early stages, cataracts will not inhibit your ability to read print at either distance or near. Well, I should qualify that – they WILL likely make you much more sensitive to light levels, meaning that you will be happier reading with good overhead light, and you will likely be much less happy driving at night. The reason for this new light sensitivity is that the cloudy lens blocks more light from reaching the back of your eye.

In later stages, cataracts absolutely inhibit your ability to read smaller print both far away and up close. Once the day comes that your optometrist can no longer correct your vision to 20/40 or better with glasses or contacts, you should probably consider surgery. Sometimes we’ll talk surgery even before the 20/40 level is reached, if you feel your life activities are being inhibited by vision. Because cataract progression is somewhat unpredictable, it becomes especially important to maintain an annual exam schedule beyond age 40 and certainly beyond age 50.

As surgeries go, cataract surgery is very straightforward and safe. The procedure only lasts about 6 minutes per eye, and recovery to good vision and comfort is generally about a week – although we don’t prescribe new glasses until a month after surgery, to make sure everything is stable. Many people end up needing glasses only for reading after surgery, although sometimes they are needed for distance as well. Even the best surgeons can’t make everyone’s vision perfect every time – everyone heals differently!

As far as cataract prevention, unfortunately there isn’t a whole lot of concrete scientific knowledge regarding nutrition, etc. to prevent cataracts from forming. Certainly nothing to reverse cataracts once they’re present (other than surgery). What I can recommend is extensive use of sunglasses outside, and especially once cataracts are present, go for the polarized lenses to help cut down on glare.

Anyhow, that’s about it for common cataract knowledge. Feel free to comment with any other questions you may have!