Cataract FAQ?

What can be done to prevent cataract?
It is not yet clear, why the eye's lens changes as we age and develops into a cataract. Research is on for the preventive measures. There is no drug or drops as yet that has been proven to be of value in preventing cataract. Recent studies show that exposure to UV rays (Ultra violet rays) may be a factor in development of cataract. It is now recommended to wear sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat to lessen the eyes' exposure to UV rays from the sun.

Other studies suggest people with diabetes are at risk for developing a cataract, as are users of steroids, diuretics, and major tranquilizers.

Can cataract occur at earlier age or in childhood also?
Yes. Sometimes the child may be born with cataract or may develop cataract in early childhood. The management of these cataracts is different from that in adult patients. Cataract may also occur at an earlier age because of trauma, inflammation of eye, use of medicines like steroids, general medical conditions like diabetes, radiation etc.

Can the cataract be treated by laser surgery?
Despite some public misconception, laser is not an option for removing cataracts at this time. Even the experimental devices are quite different from what one might imagine for use in a laser cataract surgery. In these devices a laser is used to break up the nucleus of the cataract into pieces small enough that they can be aspirated from the eye, in the same manner that sound waves are used in phacoemulsification. Thus, an incision still needs to be made, and the lens material removed from the eye. A very small incision will always be needed to physically remove the cataractous lens material.

The YAG laser may be used following cataract surgery. The posterior capsule of the lens, which supports the lens implant, sometimes turns cloudy (aftercataract) 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. This indeed is a procedure in which the patient sits in the chair and the laser, without making any incision quickly clears the vision.

Will I get good vision after surgery?
Your sight will usually improve within a few days, although complete healing may take 4-6 weeks. This is the time when a checkup for any possible change in glasses is advised.

Even if the surgery itself is successful, the eye may still not see as well as you would like. Other problems with the eye, such as macular degeneration (aging of the retina), glaucoma and diabetic damage may limit vision after surgery. Even with such problems, cataract surgery may still be worthwhile. If the eye is healthy, the chances are excellent that you will have good vision following removal of your cataract.

Will I need to use glasses after surgery?
Unfortunately yes, you would need glasses after cataract surgery. But the power of the glasses is not much if the lens has been implanted in your eye during the surgery. As we know, the eye needs to change its power in able to focus objects at different distances (compare from auto focus camera). The artificial lens that is put in the eye does not have capacity to change its power. Therefore it can work only for a fixed distance, and you will require a bifocal lens to be able to see at distance as well as near.

There is a range of bifocal and multifocal artificial lens implants are now available, but these are not yet very popular. Discuss with your ophthalmologist if you are a suitable candidate for it.