What is A CATARACT?

 

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The eye contains a natural lens that aids in focussing light and images on the retina. The retina is light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

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In normal eyes, light passes through the transparent lens to the retina to be sent as information to the brain. When this lens becomes cloudy, this is known as a cataract. This alters the light travelling to your retina and causes blurry vision.

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Why did I get a cataract?

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The lens within the eye can be thought of as a camera lens. It focuses light on the retina at the back of the eye. 

As we age, some of the proteins in the eye may clump together and cloud a small area of the lens. Other factors that may put you at higher risk of cataracts may include smoking and diabetes.

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How do I know I have a cataract?

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You may know if you have a cataract if:

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• You have blurry vision.

• You have double vision.

• You are extra sensitive to light

• Have troubles seeing well at night

• Seeing bright colours as faded or yellow instead

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How do I improve my vision?

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Your options depending on the severity of your Cataracts are:

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1. Continue using your current eyeglasses .. OR ..

2. Purchasing new eyeglasses with a new prescription .. OR ..

3. Request to arrange Cataract surgery

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I, Dr. Cabrera, will provide you a recommendation customized to you after your examination.

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What is a cataract surgery and what happens?

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The most common way to treat cataracts is with a cataract surgery. This is due to the non-reversible nature of cataracts and continued deterioration of the eye’s natural lens. There are also no medications or eye drops that will make the cataract symptoms alleviate, therefore surgery is the only treatment option.

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and does not require an overnight stay in the hospital. It involves the use of ultrasound devices that break up the cloud lens in order to remove it from the eye with the use of suction.

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What are the risks of this treatment?

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The risks can include: 

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• Inflammation

• Infection

• Bleeding

• Welling

• Secondary cataract

• Loss of vision

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This being said, complications are fairly uncommon after cataract surgery and can be treated quite easily.

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