WHAT IS A CATARACT?
A cataract is not a film over the eye or something that grows in the eye. It is a clouding in the natural lens of the eye. A cataract is like a window that is frosted or yellow. Some of the things that cause a cataract are age, injury, and certain diseases. Medicines, birth problems, and being in sunlight for many years are some other causes.

Many people have vision loss from cataracts but cataracts can be treated. Cataracts are different in each person. When cataracts are not too bad, you may not know you have them.

Cataracts can cause many different vision problems:

HOW DO WE CHECK FOR CATARACTS?
During your eye examination, the ophthalmologist checks your eyes for any problems, including cataracts. He measures distance and near vision and looks at the lens in your eye with a special light instrument. If there is a cataract in your lens, the ophthalmologist will see it. Sometimes, you made need special tests such as a glare test. When cataracts first appear, just changing your glasses prescription may make your vision better. Glasses, medicine, eye drops, or exercises will not keep the cataract from getting worse.

HOW FAST DO CATARACTS GET WORSE?
When cataracts come with age, they usually get worse slowly. It can take years for a cataract to change. How fast vision gets worse is different for each person. With other kinds of cataracts, vision may get worse faster. For example, people with diabetes or cataracts from an injury may get worse vision earlier. We cannot tell how fast cataracts will change in each person.

WHEN SHOULD YOU HAVE CATARACT SURGERY?
Just because you have a cataract, it does not mean you need surgery. When you can see well enough to do the things you want, you do not need surgery. We can tell you how your cataract is changing and what your vision is like. You have to tell us if that vision is not good enough for you. Only you can decide when you need to have surgery, but we can help you make that decision. This is different for every person. For example, some people need to be able to see well enough to drive safely. For other people who do not want to drive, this may not be a problem.

Sometimes, people need cataract surgery even when they do not need better vision. For example, a person might need surgery when the ophthalmologist cannot see the back of their eye through a very bad cataract. He may need to see the back of the eye to find or treat other eye problems. Another example is when a cataract causes other eye problems such as glaucoma. In these rare cases, cataract surgery is an emergency.

WHAT ABOUT CATARACT SURGERY?
Most people who have cataract surgery see much better than before. If you have other eye problems, taking the cataract out may not help your vision. For example if you have macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy, you should ask the ophthalmologist how much cataract surgery may help your vision.

WHAT ABOUT A SECOND OPINION?
We will not feel bad if you want to see another ophthalmologist for a second opinion. You may also be your own second opinion. You must decide when your vision is bad enough to need surgery. Can you see will enough to do your job and drive safely? Can you do your daily tasks? Because cataract surgery is a personal choice, there is no right or wrong decision about surgery.

Cataracts | Comprehensive Eye Exams | Diabetes | Glasses & Contacts | Glaucoma | Retinal Problems | Strabismus | Trauma