Cataract

Cataract Symptoms

Your eye works a lot like a camera. Light rays focus through your lens on the retina, (a layer of light sensitive cells at the back of the eye). Similar to film, the retina allows the image to be "seen" by the brain. But over time the lens can become cloudy and prevent light rays from passing clearly through the lens. This cloudy lens is called a cataract.

The typical symptom of cataract formation is a slow, progressive, and painless decrease in vision. Other changes include: blurring of vision; glare, particularly at night; frequent eyeglass prescription change; a decrease in color intensity; a yellowing of images; and in rare cases, double vision.

Ironically as the lens gets harder, farsighted or hyperopic people experience improved distance vision and are less dependent on glasses. However, nearsighted or myopic people become more nearsighted or myopic, causing distance vision to be worse. Some types of cataracts affect distance vision more than reading vision. Others affect reading vision more than distance vision.

A cataract is a loss of transparency, or clouding, of the normally clear lens of the eye. As one ages, chemical changes occur in the lens that make it less transparent. The loss of transparency may be so mild vision is hardly affected or so severe that no shapes or movements are seen, only light and dark. When the lens gets cloudy enough to obstruct vision to any significant degree, it is called a cataract.

The most common cause of cataract is aging. Other causes include trauma, medications such as steroids, systemic diseases such as diabetes and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. Occasionally, babies are born with a cataract.

Reducing the amount of ultraviolet light exposure by wearing a wide-brim hat and sunglasses may reduce your risk for developing a cataract but once developed there is no cure except to have the cataract surgically removed. Outpatient surgical procedures can remove the cataract through either a small incision (phacoemulsification) or a large incision (extracapsular extraction). The time to have the surgical procedure is when your vision is bad enough that it interferes with your lifestyle.

The surgeons use the phacoemulsification (phaco) technique to remove your cataract using only topical anesthesia "eye drop". A small stair stepped incision is made in the sclera or clear cornea then the ultrasonic oscillating phaco prob is inserted to break up the cataract and suction the fragments out. Then an intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted into the eye. An IOL replaces the focusing power of the eyes natural lens. After using this special "stair stepped" incision, the eye remains tightly sealed by the natural outward pressure within your eye.

Cataract surgery is a very successful operation. One and a half million people have this procedure every year and 95% have a successful result. As with any surgical procedure, complications can occur during or after surgery and some are severe enough to limit vision. But in most cases, vision, as well as quality of life, improves. The surgeons will discuss with you the risks and benefits of the surgery and answer any questions you may have.

To determine if you have a cataract please call Missouri Eye Institute, LLC at 417-887-3900 to 1-800-383-3831 or see your optometrist.

The day of your initial appointment in the office your eyes will be dilated, so we do recommend you have someone drive you. When you see the surgeon you will be evaluated for cataract surgery. If it is found that your cataract interferes with your vision, and activities important to you, the doctors then order a test to measure the implant size needed for your eye. The implant will greatly enhance your vision clarity and reduce your refractive error.

There are two different tests you can use to determine the power of the implant. The first test is the a-scan. The a-scan utilizes ultrasound waves to measure the length of your eye to determine the implant power. The second test is an IOL master. This test uses light waves to scan your eye without touching the eye. The IOL master is the most modern technology for determining your lens implant. Each test is used for different reasons. The doctor will determine which one is appropriate for you.

Missouri Eye Institute also offers a same day surgery program. When you are referred by your optometrist, we can schedule you to see the doctor and have your surgery all in one day. This is ONLY available if your optometrist refers you to Missouri Eye Institute, and arrangements are made in advance. Once you are in the office, the surgeon will evaluate your cataracts and do the measurements needed for you to have surgery that day, if appropriate.