A cataract is the fogging that occurs in the normally clear eye lens, a membrane that sits on top of your eye. Having a cataract is a bit like looking through a foggy window or taking a picture with a messy camera. This limits your ability to see details, especially at night, and can make it more difficult to read, use a computer, or drive. Cataracts may also cause sensitivity to light and glare, dulled vision, and/or ghost images.In the beginning stages of cataracts, it take time to develop and their effects will not kick in early on, but they will eventually interfere with your eyesight.
beginning stages of cataracts eating a healthier diet, being in a stronger light, or using glasses can help you to counter diabetes and cataracts. But if they start getting in the way of daily activities, it is time to look into cataract surgery. Do not worry, cataract surgery is a safe and effective procedure. If you do not have surgery, your vision will get worse over time.
Cataracts develop with ageing as the proteins in your eye lens break down and clump up, and the fog that you see is the clumps of proteins. Over time these clumps get bigger and more severe. You are more likely to develop cataracts sooner if you have the following risk factors:
Following are the dense cataract symptoms and warning signs of cataracts;
To determine if you have a cataract, people ask can an optometrist diagnose cataracts? the answer is your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms, and perform an eye exam. The cataract operation cost and cataracts treatment, can you drive with cataracts? cataract night vision, cataracts and driving risk, the cost depends upon the seriousness of your health situation. Your doctor may perform various tests, including:
Cataract surgery involves removing the natural lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. The artificial lens, called an intraocular lens or IOL, works the same way a natural lens works and remains a permanent part of your eye. Some eye problems prohibit the use of an IOL. In these situations, eyeglasses or contact lenses are used to correct vision. During cataract surgery, cataract doctor specialist or surgeons use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the eye, but the patient stays awake during the procedure, which normally lasts about an hour or less. Multifocal lenses, multifocal cataract lenses unlike monofocal intraocular lenses, allow for the correction of near and distance vision and make it possible to dispense with glasses. Patient identified with a cataract diagram following a sight test by cataract consultants.
Accommodating Intraocular Lenses – An “accommodating” intraocular lens provides good distance vision and usable intermediate distance vision. In most cases, the patient can see the large text without reading glasses but need them for small text.
The Monofocal lens is the standard IOL and is designed to correct a patient’s distance vision. With this lens, you can see well from a distance, but your close-up vision remains impaired. This means that you will need glasses to read or do other similar activities.
Multifocal lenses are lenses that provide the patient with distance, intermediate, and/or reading vision. This lens may not be the best option, as some patients are bothered by unusual distance or reading vision. Some other common side effects include impaired vision in bright light and halos around light at night.
These lenses help people with astigmatism see at distance or near rather than other IOLs would.
If you're seeking cataract treatment, visit Fakeeh University Hospital for expert care. Our team of specialist ophthalmologists provides comprehensive diagnosis and advanced treatment options to ensure the best possible outcomes. Book your consultation today and take the first step towards clearer vision!
While it's technically possible, cataract surgery is usually performed on one eye at a time to reduce the risk of complications. Surgeons often schedule the second eye surgery a few weeks after the first.
Cataracts cause clouding of the eye's natural lens, leading to blurred or hazy vision, faded colors, glare, and difficulty seeing at night. Over time, this can significantly impair vision.
Most people can resume driving within a week after cataract surgery, depending on how well they recover and their doctor’s advice. Ensure that your vision has cleared and you feel comfortable before driving.
Full recovery from cataract surgery typically takes about 4-6 weeks, although many people notice significant improvement in their vision within a few days. Follow your doctor's instructions for optimal recovery.
Vision with cataracts often appears blurry or foggy, with colors looking faded, increased glare, and difficulty seeing at night. It may feel like looking through a cloudy or frosted window.
