News Taffy

If you are like me, you have heard of cataracts but never given them much thought. Recently, a friend had to have cataract surgery so I thought I would learn more about it. A cataract is an area of the lens that becomes cloudy over time, making it difficult to see well enough to drive, especially at night, or read. Cataracts develop slowly as we age but tend to get worse with time. They can also result from an injury or an inherited genetic disorder. By the age of 80, more than half of Americans will have cataracts so it pays to be informed.

Risk factors for developing cataracts include some of our old favorites: diabetes, obesity, smoking, excess alcohol use, high blood pressure, excess exposure to sunlight (wear those sunglasses!), exposure to X rays or cancer radiation treatment or a previous eye surgery. See, I keep telling you that taking care of yourself will help keep you from developing a whole host of undesirable diseases!

Some symptoms of cataracts are: double vision in a single eye, fading or yellowing of colors (you should not see everything in sepia tones), sensitivity to light, seeing halos or frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions. Of course, if you get regular eye exams, you can discuss any problems then and your doctor will routinely check for cataracts.

You may never need surgery for cataracts as your vision may be correctable with glasses or not get worse. However, cataract surgery is usually safe and effective if your vision does worsen to the point it affects your quality of life. The surgery involves removing the lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens, or IOL. Sometimes the lens is removed and not replaced but your vision is corrected with glasses. Who knew you could do without the lens in your eye? The surgery is performed in an outpatient surgery and the patient goes home the same day. Most doctors now use an ultrasound device that breaks up the lens into small pieces which are then suctioned from the eye. This promotes faster healing and has less complications than in the past. There are many types of IOLs available which may lessen your need for glasses after surgery.

You can return to most of your regular activities within a week but may be restricted from strenuous activities like heavy lifting, bending, exercising or driving until your vision clears. Complete recovery takes about one month. Many older people fear cataracts and may be talked into having surgery before it is really necessary. It is important to understand the whole process of cataracts and carefully evaluate your vision problems with a doctor who knows you and whom you trust.