What is a Cataract?
Cataract
A cataract occurs when the natural lens inside the eye becomes cloudy. This process is painless and usually occurs as a result of the normal aging process.
Normally, light passes through a clear lens and is focused onto the retina. A cataract or cloudy lens blocks the passage of light through the eye, causing distorted or blurred vision. Vision through eyes with cataracts can be described as looking through a foggy window or piece of wax paper.
The most common form of a cataract is age-related, usually starting after age 50, but sometimes they can begin at a younger age. Even though a cataract begins to form in your 50's, vision problems may not occur until much later. The development of a cataract is usually very gradual but can occasionally occur rapidly. Ninety percent (90%) of people 70 years and older have cataracts.
Symptoms of cataract include:
- Blurry vision
- Glare from car headlights
- Sensitivity to sunlight
- Difficulty reading street signs
- Poor night vision
- Frequent changes in your eyeglass prescription
- Needing brighter light to read
- Difficulty reading small print or the newspaper
- Changes in the way you see colors or colors seem faded
- Difficulty seeing details on the television
Treatment
Once a cataract has formed, the most effective way to restore vision is to surgically remove the cloudy cataract and replace it with a lens implant. These small lenses are made of silicone or plastic polymers and are inserted after the cataract is removed. They're sometimes called intraocular lenses.
With recent advances in cataract surgery, equipment, and techniques, vision can be restored more safely and faster, allowing patients to resume normal activity within hours after surgery. Using these state of the art techniques, cataract surgery has a success rate greater than 98%.
Our specialists treat all types of cataracts, including:
- Age-Related (the most common)
- Traumatic
- Congenital (present since birth)
- Juvenile
- Medication induced – steroids (cortisone)
The treatment techniques and equipment that Milwaukee Eye Care Associates' surgeons use, including new methods of lens implantation and “No Stitch” surgery, are the most advanced in the field. To schedule an appointment for a cataract evaluation, please call Milwaukee Eye Care Associates, S.C. at 414-271-2020.