Question:
I have to have cataract surgery and I’m a little frightened. Should I be?
Answer:
I don’t know anyone who isn’t a little frightened by surgery of any kind, but
cataract removal is one of the safest and most effective types of surgery. It’s
also one of the most common operations performed in the United States. About
nine out of 10 people who have the surgery have improved vision.
A
cataract is a clouding of the lens, the clear part of the eye that helps focus
images like the lens in a camera. Cataracts can blur images and discolor them.
Most
cataracts are related to aging. By age 80, more than half of all Americans
either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.
There
are other causes of cataracts, such as diabetes, eye injury, radiation and
surgery for other eye problems.
Cataracts
tend to worsen gradually. The clear lens slowly changes to a yellowish/brownish
color, adding a brownish tint to vision.
If
you have advanced lens discoloration, you may not be able to identify blues and
purples.
The
most common symptoms of a cataract are blurred images, faded colors, glare,
poor night vision, double vision, and frequent prescription changes in your
eyeglasses or contact lenses.
If
you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor, because they can be signs of
other eye problems.
The
symptoms of early cataract may be improved with new eyeglasses, brighter
lighting, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses. If these measures do not
help, surgery is the only effective treatment.
The
surgeon removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a plastic lens
Like
every other kind of surgery, there are risks to cataract surgery, such as
infection and bleeding. Serious infection can diminish vision.
Cataract
surgery slightly increases your risk of retinal detachment, a serious condition
that demands emergency treatment to prevent permanent impairment or even
blindness. The retina is a light-sensitive membrane lining the inner eyeball;
it is connected to the brain by the optic nerve.
The
cataract operation usually lasts less than one hour and is almost painless.
After
the operation, a patch may be placed over the eye.
Most
people who have cataract surgery can go home the same day. In most cases,
healing will be complete within eight weeks.
What
can you do about cataracts? Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block
ultraviolet sunlight may help delay cataract.
If
you smoke, stop. Researchers also believe good nutrition can help reduce the
risk of age-related cataract.
They
recommend eating green leafy vegetables, fruit, and other foods with
antioxidants.
If
you are 60 or older, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least
once every two years.
In
addition to cataract, your eye care professional can check for signs of
age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other vision disorders.
Early
treatment for many eye diseases may save your sight.
If
you have a question, please write to fred@healthygeezer.com
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© 2008 by Fred Cicetti