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A Patient's Guide to CATARACTS
February 07, 2017
A cataract is a gradual clouding of the eye's naturally transparent lens.
A PATIENT'S GUIDE TO CATARACTS
WHAT ARE CATARACTS?
A cataract is a gradual clouding of the eye's naturally transparent lens.
The lens of the eye is one of two important structures responsible for the proper focusing of images that allow people to see clearly. When changes take place in the normal
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CATARACTS?
A cloudy lens allows less light to enter the eye and scatters it in different directions.
Because of this, the most common complaint of someone with cataracts is blurring of vision that is inadequately improved with eyeglasses. Vision may also be worse at night or during conditions with poor lighting.
Other complaints include glare, diminished color vision, and reduced depth perception.
WHO CAN HAVE CATARACTS?
Cataracts may affect people of any age.
Infants and children may be born with them (congenital) or acquire them at some point in their young lives (developmental or juvenile). Older adults are most commonly affected. Studies indicate that 6 out of 10 adults over the age of 60 show symptoms of cataracts. However, the rates at which cataracts develop and progress varies from one individual to another. Certain medical conditions like diabetes, or intake of drugs, like steroids, can also cause cataracts. Trauma to the eye, infections and inflammation are likewise possible causes.
HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE CATARACTS?
Cataracts are hardly seen with the unaided eye. The only way to find out is by consulting an ophthalmologist (eye doctor). An examination using a special instrument called a slit lamp
HOW ARE CATARACTS TREATED?
The decision when and by what method to treat cataracts depends on the extent by which they affect vision and your quality of life. Early-stage cataracts can be treated with eyeglasses or eyedrop medications. However, these are merely temporary measures and will not remove what is already there. Eye drops have a very small percentage of success in stopping the progress of the cataract. The only definitive treatment for cataracts is surgical removal. Laser therapy is not used in any way to treat cataracts.
Cataracts are removed manually, or by using machines through a procedure called phacoemulsification. The manual method involves making a large enough incision to remove the lens in one piece and the wound is then closed using sutures. This technique requires either general or peribulbar (injection around the eyeball) anesthesia.
Phacoemulsification uses a technologically-advanced machine that aspirates the cataract in powder form through a very small wound. Most of the time, this wound need not be sutured.
This procedure is bloodless and can be done with eyedrop anesthesia. Once the cataract is removed, it cannot grow back. An artificial lens, or intraocular lens implant, is placed inside the eye to replace the old, clouded lens. This will allow you to recover the clear vision you had before the cataract set in. Millions of people worldwide undergo this vision-improving procedure every year with excellent results.
CAN THE MEDICAL CITY PROVIDE ME WITH FIRST-CLASS CATARACT TREATMENT?
The Medical City takes pride in being at the forefront of eye health care delivery. Our Eye Center boasts of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities that can rival any hospital in the world. More importantly, we are staffed with a team of competent and skilled eye doctors, nurses and technicians that have your welfare at heart. Nowadays, there is hardly any reason for anyone to suffer having a cataract. Treatment is relatively safe and simple and brings with it priceless rewards. If you suspect that you may have a cataract, we urge you to visit any of our eye doctors or call us for any assistance that you may need.
WILL I BE INSTRUCTED ON THE CARE OF MY EYE AFTER THE SURGERY?
You will be given written instructions to follow. These will help you understand exactly how to care for your eye after surgery.
In general, you will be asked to wear either special hard plastic protectors or special ultraviolet sunglasses and to regularly apply eyedrops while the eye is healing. You will be informed of a follow-up appointment with the doctor to check on the progress of your recovery before you leave.
Regardless of how alert you feel, it is still advisable to arrange for someone to accompany and drive you home.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR AND WHOM DO I CALL IF I HAVE A PROBLEM?
It is not unusual to feel some amount of discomfort like a foreign body sensation or heaviness in and around the operated eye for several hours after the surgery. This generally decreases in intensity with time. However, any discomfort that worsens and is not relieved by pain medications should be a cause for concern. Other “danger signs” are progressive blurring, increasing redness, eye discharge, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
If any of these or other unusual symptoms previously discussed with you by your doctor are present, contact him immediately. If you do not happen to have his number or none was provided, proceed to the emergency room of The Medical City and ask for the ophthalmology resident on duty.
Problems after out-patient surgery (even transient ones) are extremely rare. This is precisely the experience of countless patients that make this kind of cataract surgical management a first-choice option.
Great advances have been made in cataract surgery and all of these are available at The Medical City. Millions of people undergo this vision-improving procedure every year. And, they experience excellent results.
Reference: Department of Ophthalmology, The Medical City
Note: This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advise, diagnosis or treatment. If you or someone you know have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is advisable to seek professional help.
The Medical City offers a roster of competent eye specialists who may assess and treat people with Cataract.
For any inquiries please call:
EYE CENTER
Tel. No. (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 Ext. 6252
CENTER FOR PATIENT PARTNERSHIP
Tel. No. (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 Ext. 6444
A Patient's Guide to CATARACTS
February 07, 2017
A cataract is a gradual clouding of the eye's naturally transparent lens.
A PATIENT'S GUIDE TO CATARACTS
WHAT ARE CATARACTS?
A cataract is a gradual clouding of the eye's naturally transparent lens.
The lens of the eye is one of two important structures responsible for the proper focusing of images that allow people to see clearly. When changes take place in the normal
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CATARACTS?
A cloudy lens allows less light to enter the eye and scatters it in different directions.
Because of this, the most common complaint of someone with cataracts is blurring of vision that is inadequately improved with eyeglasses. Vision may also be worse at night or during conditions with poor lighting.
Other complaints include glare, diminished color vision, and reduced depth perception.
WHO CAN HAVE CATARACTS?
Cataracts may affect people of any age.
Infants and children may be born with them (congenital) or acquire them at some point in their young lives (developmental or juvenile). Older adults are most commonly affected. Studies indicate that 6 out of 10 adults over the age of 60 show symptoms of cataracts. However, the rates at which cataracts develop and progress varies from one individual to another. Certain medical conditions like diabetes, or intake of drugs, like steroids, can also cause cataracts. Trauma to the eye, infections and inflammation are likewise possible causes.
HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE CATARACTS?
Cataracts are hardly seen with the unaided eye. The only way to find out is by consulting an ophthalmologist (eye doctor). An examination using a special instrument called a slit lamp
HOW ARE CATARACTS TREATED?
The decision when and by what method to treat cataracts depends on the extent by which they affect vision and your quality of life. Early-stage cataracts can be treated with eyeglasses or eyedrop medications. However, these are merely temporary measures and will not remove what is already there. Eye drops have a very small percentage of success in stopping the progress of the cataract. The only definitive treatment for cataracts is surgical removal. Laser therapy is not used in any way to treat cataracts.
Cataracts are removed manually, or by using machines through a procedure called phacoemulsification. The manual method involves making a large enough incision to remove the lens in one piece and the wound is then closed using sutures. This technique requires either general or peribulbar (injection around the eyeball) anesthesia.
Phacoemulsification uses a technologically-advanced machine that aspirates the cataract in powder form through a very small wound. Most of the time, this wound need not be sutured.
This procedure is bloodless and can be done with eyedrop anesthesia. Once the cataract is removed, it cannot grow back. An artificial lens, or intraocular lens implant, is placed inside the eye to replace the old, clouded lens. This will allow you to recover the clear vision you had before the cataract set in. Millions of people worldwide undergo this vision-improving procedure every year with excellent results.
CAN THE MEDICAL CITY PROVIDE ME WITH FIRST-CLASS CATARACT TREATMENT?
The Medical City takes pride in being at the forefront of eye health care delivery. Our Eye Center boasts of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities that can rival any hospital in the world. More importantly, we are staffed with a team of competent and skilled eye doctors, nurses and technicians that have your welfare at heart. Nowadays, there is hardly any reason for anyone to suffer having a cataract. Treatment is relatively safe and simple and brings with it priceless rewards. If you suspect that you may have a cataract, we urge you to visit any of our eye doctors or call us for any assistance that you may need.
WILL I BE INSTRUCTED ON THE CARE OF MY EYE AFTER THE SURGERY?
You will be given written instructions to follow. These will help you understand exactly how to care for your eye after surgery.
In general, you will be asked to wear either special hard plastic protectors or special ultraviolet sunglasses and to regularly apply eyedrops while the eye is healing. You will be informed of a follow-up appointment with the doctor to check on the progress of your recovery before you leave.
Regardless of how alert you feel, it is still advisable to arrange for someone to accompany and drive you home.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR AND WHOM DO I CALL IF I HAVE A PROBLEM?
It is not unusual to feel some amount of discomfort like a foreign body sensation or heaviness in and around the operated eye for several hours after the surgery. This generally decreases in intensity with time. However, any discomfort that worsens and is not relieved by pain medications should be a cause for concern. Other “danger signs” are progressive blurring, increasing redness, eye discharge, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
If any of these or other unusual symptoms previously discussed with you by your doctor are present, contact him immediately. If you do not happen to have his number or none was provided, proceed to the emergency room of The Medical City and ask for the ophthalmology resident on duty.
Problems after out-patient surgery (even transient ones) are extremely rare. This is precisely the experience of countless patients that make this kind of cataract surgical management a first-choice option.
Great advances have been made in cataract surgery and all of these are available at The Medical City. Millions of people undergo this vision-improving procedure every year. And, they experience excellent results.
Reference: Department of Ophthalmology, The Medical City
Note: This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advise, diagnosis or treatment. If you or someone you know have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is advisable to seek professional help.
The Medical City offers a roster of competent eye specialists who may assess and treat people with Cataract.
For any inquiries please call:
EYE CENTER
Tel. No. (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 Ext. 6252
CENTER FOR PATIENT PARTNERSHIP
Tel. No. (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 Ext. 6444
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