Vision Centre

Cataracts

Cataract is a change in the clarity of the natural lens within the eye. The lens of the eye is made of mostly water and proteins. As aging occurs the proteins clump together and cause cloudiness. Other contributing factors may include; family history, eye surgery, puncture wounds, medications such as corticosteroids, chronic     inflammation and diabetes, though ageing is the main factor. In addition, smokers as opposed to non-smokers have a higher rate of cataract occurrence.

In a normal eye the clear cornea allows light to enter a clear lens, then through the vitreous (the clear jelly that fills the eye). The light is focused on the back of the eye, the retina, creating a sharp image that is transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve. When the eye has cataract, the light must pass through a cloudy lens. The lens scatters the light making it difficult to focus through the cataract, this causes blurring of the image. A cataract on the edge of the lens may not affect central vision but a cataract in the middle of a lens is likely to interfere with vision and perception of color.

The treatment for cataracts can vary depending on how advanced the individual cataract is. Vision can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses prior to the need for cataract lens implant surgery in early stages. However the only treatment for a visually significant cataract is surgical removal as advanced cataracts cloud the natural lens and refractive correction may not improve vision. A cataract operation involves the removal of the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial Intra-Ocular Lens (IOL) implant. Phacoemulsification involves a tiny incision in the eye through which, the cataract is broken up by ultrasound and vacuumed out. A folded IOL is inserted through the same incision which unfolds within the eye.

Click on this link for more information about cataract surgery using IOLs

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Eye with cataract

Cataract removal

Lens implantation

Restored eye

Eye operation

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