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C
A T A R A C T S |
A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the
eye. The lens is normally clear. It focuses light rays
on the retina, which is the part of the eye that enables us to see
images, colors, and light. Over time, a cataract can cause
blurring or reduced vision. Your eyes may become sensitive
to light. You may experience glare from lights, especially at
night. You may be unable to see colors as well as before.
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Cataracts can
result from: |
- Aging
- Eye injuries
- Certain diseases
- Steroid Medications
- Genetic inheritance
- Smoking
- High alcohol intake
- Exposure to UV light
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Cataract
Facts |
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Cataracts are the major cause of treatable visual problems
in the U.S.
- Six
out of 10 people over age 60 have some form of cataract, and eight
out of 10 people over age 80 have it.
- About
1.5 million cataract operations are performed each year in the
U.S. (That's over 4000 a day!)
- Over
98 percent of people who have cataract surgery have a successful
outcome.
- Some
cataracts may not cause visual problems.
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Cataract
Treatment |
| The cataract may not need treatment at
all if the vision is only slightly blurry. A change in your
eyeglass prescription may improve vision for a while. |
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There are no medications, eye drops,
exercises, or glasses that will cause cataracts to disappear once
they have formed. When you are not able to see well enough to
do the things you like to do, cataract surgery should be
considered. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract.
At Physicians Eye Center we offer the most modern type of
cataract surgery, small-incision clear cornea phacoemulsification
(ultrasound). This advanced technique allows us the give you the
best possible vision after surgery with a very fast recovery time. |
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The Intraocular Implant
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Surgery is done in the outpatient surgery center.
Hospitalization is not required. During surgery the cloudy lens is removed from
the eye. Once the cataract is removed, a lens implant (IOL) is
placed to allow excellent vision. Cataracts can not be removed
with a laser, only through surgical excision. |
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When
is a Laser Used? |
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The posterior capsule sometimes turns
cloudy several months or years after the original cataract
operation. If this blurs your vision, a clear opening can be made
painlessly in the center of the membrane with a laser. Laser
surgery is never part of the original cataract operation. |
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M
I S C O N C E P T I O N S |
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Cataracts are NOT...
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a film over the eye
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caused by overused eyes
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a cancer
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spread from one eye to the other
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a cause of irreversible blindness
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Click here for
information about what to do after cataract surgery.
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