Eye Diseases cataracts   What are Cataracts Symptoms of cataracts? When is surgery indicated? The patient experience   What are cataracts? Cataracts are a clouding of the natural clear lens of the eye which functions to transmit light and to focus the light on the retina. Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process and can range from incipient, very mild trace opacities with no effect on vision to very advanced opacification of the lens resulting in extreme loss of vision.  The aging process is the most common cause of cataract formation and by age 65 most people have some cataract development that usually progresses slowly over the ensuing years. However, there may be other causes of cataract besides the aging process. Diabetes, trauma to the eye, excessive exposure to sunlight, inflammations and infections within the eye, certain medications, radiation, intense electric shock, smoking, poor nutrition, and harmful chemicals are among many of the other causes. Cataracts also may be congenital or they may develop prematurely. Cataracts vary in their presentation and, therefore, are classified according to their appearance and to which part of the lens is affected. They may be described as nuclear sclerotic, posterior subcapsular, anterior subcapsular, cortical, crystal, vacuolar, spokes and wedges, and "immature" and "mature". Utilizing the analogy of comparing the cataract to a cherry helps to clarify part of this classification. Just as a cherry has an outer skin, an inner pit and pulp between the outer skin and the pit, the cataract has a outer capsule (front and back), a central nucleus of varying degrees of hardness and cortex which fills the space between the capsule and the nucleus.   Symptoms of cataracts? As the cataract progresses, the vision begins to worsen. Patients may experience a variety of symptoms that may include one or more of the following: A reduced ability to see road signs. A reduced ability to recognize people's faces at a distance. A reduced ability to see television clearly or to read the captions on the TV screen. The sensation of looking through a dirty window. Less vision at night or in reduced light situations with less desire to go out at night. Halos around lights and glare from the sun or from oncoming car lights. A decreased ability to read at near. A decreased ability to see colors. A loss of independence. An increased risk of injury from falling or from car accidents because of poor eyesight. After cataract surgery Before cataract surgery   When is surgery indicated? Intraocular lenses (IOL's) A comprehensive eye exam is necessary to determine if a cataract is the cause of one's ocular symptoms. Once the cataract has been determined to be the cause, the Ophthalmologist will then discuss with you the benefits, risks, and expectations of the surgery.  The effect on each individuals lifestyle and the symptoms that they are experiencing are, often, the most important factors. For example, a 65 year old still working and driving at night or a retired but active 80 year old playing golf may feel the need for surgery sooner than an 85 year old sedentary individual who can still read and watch TV. Because cataracts tend to progress slowly, many older individuals are not aware of the gradual deterioration in their vision as they incrementally and, unnecessarily, accept many of the symptoms mentioned previously.  There is an ideal time for cataract surgery which concerns many factors including the age of the patient, the medical health, the density of the cataract, the ease of pupil dilation, and the actual size of the eye, etc. It must be understood that all cataracts are not created equal and the risk for complications increases as we move away from that ideal time. Waiting too long to do one's cataract surgery is a definite risk.     The modern cataract operation The past 30 years have been witness to incredible advances in cataract surgery. The older methods of plucking the entire cataract out of the eye with a freezing probe through a large incision, with multiple sutures, a two month recovery, no implant, and coke bottle type glasses, have been replaced transitionally.  In the mid to late 1970's, intraocular lens implants became commonplace and replaced the thick cataract eyeglasses. Next in the transition was a shift to microsurgery on the lens of the eye with newer types of implants secured in the lens capsular sac but still requiring larger incisions and multiple sutures.  The shift to the modern cataract operation in the 1990's involved sophisticated technology utilizing microsurgery on the cataract with delicate, controlled ultrasound removal of the cataract and the placement of a foldable intraocular lens made of acrylic or silicone. Amazingly, this is accomplished through a very small incision with special wound construction that has, essentially, eliminated the need for sutures except on infrequent occasions.  The doctors at the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute all perform the most advanced method of cataract surgery which is small incision, no stitch, phacoemulsification cataract extraction with the placement of a foldable intraocular lens.     The patient experience   The doctors and staff at the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute are dedicated to the well being of our patients. Great importance is placed on helping each patient understand his/her condition and what his/her expectations should be. After the cataract surgery has been scheduled, several important steps will occur in preparation for the surgery.  Measurements of the eye will be taken to enable our doctors to properly decide the intraocular lens implant power that is correct for the eye. Choosing the correct implant power frequently reduces one's dependency for eyeglasses following the surgery.  An appointment will be scheduled with the patient's family physician or internist to provide medical clearance and special instructions to safeguard your health. The doctors perform the surgery at a number of different Medicare approved ambulatory surgical centers in the area, but it will usually take place at The Foundation for Advanced Eye Care, a state of the art facility with the most updated equipment and an extremely kind and caring staff.  Gentle anesthetics will be used to ease your anxiety and provide for a pain free experience. The doctors at the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute utilize the latest surgical techniques including clear cornea, no stitch cataract surgery and cataract refractive surgery to help reduce pre-existing astigmatism. By reducing pre-existing astigmatism, when indicated, better vision without glasses will occur following the surgery.  Most of our patients find their surgical experience to be much easier than expected, even pleasant and show great excitement regarding their improved vision the following day when seen at our office.