A look at cataracts and how they're treated

Cataracts are something we all go through sooner or later - here's a breakdown of what they are and how they're treated.

What exactly are cataracts?

Cataracts are when the intraocular lens -- normally clear -- becomes cloudy or opaque.

"The (intraocular) lenses serve to filter light rays as they pass through the eye. After time, these lenses become cloudy and non-translucent, which we then call cataracts," explains Dr. Kory P. Thoma of Leet EyeCare in Cape Girardeau.

Cataracts cause blurring or loss of vision, reduced color perception and a glare or "halos" around lights in sunlight or at nighttime, says Dr. Todd J. Lumsden of Eye Consultants in Cape Girardeau. They may also cause eye sensitivity, says Thoma. Driving becomes difficult, especially at night.

Who gets cataracts?

In short, everyone. Cataracts develop with time, sun exposure and ultraviolet radiation.

"I tell my patients, if we all live long enough, we all will develop cataracts. It is a normal age-related process we all go through," says Thoma, and for most people, it happens between the ages of 65 and 75. "Everyone will eventually develop cataracts; how quickly they mature is very different between individuals. Systemic diseases such as diabetes can initiate the growth and maturity of cataracts. As well, certain medications such as steroids can cause cataracts to form rather quickly. Finally, smoking causes cataracts to mature at a quicker than normal rate."

Can we prevent them?

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent or reverse cataracts, says Lumsden, but Thoma believes we may be able to slow the progression by wearing sunglasses routinely.

"Sunglasses can filter light rays and UV radiation before the own eye and intraocular lenses have to," he explains.

How are cataracts treated?

Sometimes glasses or changing a glasses prescription can help, says Lumsden, but surgical removal is the only definitive treatment for cataracts. During cataract surgery, the natural intraocular lens is replaced with an artificial implant.

"Most surgeries are outpatient procedures," says Thoma. "Patients are seen two to three times during the postoperative period. Only one surgery is performed at a time, then approximately two or three weeks after the initial surgery the fellow eye will be operated on."

After surgery, patients use a prescribed medication or eye drops for several weeks, says Lumsden. They should avoid strenuous activity for the first couple weeks, but can generally do light household chores a few days after surgery.