What is a cataract?
There is a lens inside the eye that focuses the light just like the lens in a camera. When this lens becomes cloudy, it is called a cataract. The most common type of cataract is slowly progressive and related to age.
What causes cataracts?
As the proteins in the lens age, they are altered and break down. They then lose the regular crystalline structure that gives the lens its clarity, like a diamond accumulating flaws. However, other cataracts can be caused by trauma, inflammation, infections, medications, metabolic diseases, and intraocular eye surgery. Some cataracts, called congenital cataracts, are even found in newborns.
How will I know if I have a cataract?
Symptoms of cataracts include blurred or fuzzy vision. It may become difficult to read fine print or read road signs from a distance. Even a mild cataract can cause difficulty with night time driving due to a combination of reduced night vision and worsening glare from oncoming traffic.
Are cataracts dangerous?
From a medical point of view, no, not really. However, cataracts can be dangerous if untreated because your vision will become less and less clear. You won't see as well, and that could result in accidents.
Can they be prevented? If so, how?
There are currently no widely accepted methods to prevent typical age-related cataracts. There is some evidence that ultra-violet light may play a role, so UV light filtering sunglasses are sometimes recommended. Studies done on nutritional factors and vitamin supplementation have not proven any relationship.
How are cataracts treated?
The only treatment for cataracts is surgical removal of the eye’s natural lens and replacement with an advanced artificial lens implant. Fortunately, this is a safe, common and effective procedure. Dr. Marcovitch has successfully performed thousands of cataract surgeries.
There is a lens inside the eye that focuses the light just like the lens in a camera. When this lens becomes cloudy, it is called a cataract. The most common type of cataract is slowly progressive and related to age.
What causes cataracts?
As the proteins in the lens age, they are altered and break down. They then lose the regular crystalline structure that gives the lens its clarity, like a diamond accumulating flaws. However, other cataracts can be caused by trauma, inflammation, infections, medications, metabolic diseases, and intraocular eye surgery. Some cataracts, called congenital cataracts, are even found in newborns.
How will I know if I have a cataract?
Symptoms of cataracts include blurred or fuzzy vision. It may become difficult to read fine print or read road signs from a distance. Even a mild cataract can cause difficulty with night time driving due to a combination of reduced night vision and worsening glare from oncoming traffic.
Are cataracts dangerous?
From a medical point of view, no, not really. However, cataracts can be dangerous if untreated because your vision will become less and less clear. You won't see as well, and that could result in accidents.
Can they be prevented? If so, how?
There are currently no widely accepted methods to prevent typical age-related cataracts. There is some evidence that ultra-violet light may play a role, so UV light filtering sunglasses are sometimes recommended. Studies done on nutritional factors and vitamin supplementation have not proven any relationship.
How are cataracts treated?
The only treatment for cataracts is surgical removal of the eye’s natural lens and replacement with an advanced artificial lens implant. Fortunately, this is a safe, common and effective procedure. Dr. Marcovitch has successfully performed thousands of cataract surgeries.
