Is Your Vision Getting Cloudy?

In the eye, the lens is a clear, disc-shaped structure behind the pupil and iris (the colored part of the eye). The lens focuses light beams on the retina, the back part of the eye that sends signals of images to the brain. A cataract occurs when the lens becomes cloudy and as a result, vision becomes blurry. Common symptoms of cataracts include a painless blurring of vision; light or glare sensitivity; poor night vision, particularly when driving; increased nearsightedness with frequent changes in prescriptions; seeing halos around objects or lights; double vision in one eye; needing a brighter light to read; and colors looking faded or yellow. Rapid or painful changes in vision are not likely to be due to a cataract and should be immediately evaluated by your eye doctor.

Cataracts are very common and affect around 60 percent of adults over 60 years old. They are uncommon before age 40; however, younger people can also be affected by cataracts. Risk factors that may lead to developing a cataract at a younger age include smoking; diabetes; exposure to sunlight; previous eye injury; alcohol use; premature birth; and use of steroid medications.

There are no medications or other treatments known to treat or prevent cataracts. Some people think that Vitamin E and Vitamin C prevent cataracts. These theories are being tested in research studies, but have not been proven beneficial. Similarly, aspirin has not been shown to prevent cataracts.

The only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. Eye drops cannot dissolve a cataract or slow down its progress. Over 1.5 million cataract surgeries are performed in the U.S. each year. Cataracts only rarely cause long-term damage to the eye and as a result, cataract surgery is an elective procedure that should generally be considered only when visual symptoms develop. Surgery is needed when the cataract causes enough vision loss to interfere with day-to-day tasks.

Cataract surgery is a delicate procedure, but it is also the most common and one of the safest surgical procedures in the United States. More than 95 percent of procedures are successful, and fewer than five percent of cases have complications that may include inflammation, bleeding, infection and retinal detachment. Serious complications occur in less than one in 1,000 cases.

Surgery is done on one eye at a time. Unless a patient has other medical complications, cataract surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, usually with only local anesthesia. The procedure involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a clear lens implant. Recovery time is rapid, with most people resuming normal day-to-day activities a day or two after surgery. Vision continues to improve over the following weeks and is typically complete after eight weeks.

There are some steps you can take to prevent cataracts. If you smoke, stop. Protect your eyes from ultraviolet sunlight with sunglasses and a brimmed hat. Eat a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, fruit and other foods rich in antioxidants. If you are age 60 or older, get a comprehensive eye exam at least once every two years. While early detection of cataracts will not improve your outcome in most cases, a good eye exam can check for signs of other eye diseases and may save your sight.

Dr. McMahon, a graduate of Yale University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, is board certified in Internal Medicine. She is a member of the American College of Physicians and the Allegheny and Pennsylvania Medical Societies. She is in solo practice in the North Hills.