Questions About Cataracts
What is a cataract?
A cataract is the clouding of the lens in your eye. It affects your vision because it interferes with light passing through your eye to your retina. A cataract can occur in one or both eyes, but a cataract can’t spread from one eye to the other.
What are the causes of cataracts?
Cataracts can develop naturally as you age because the proteins contained in your eye lens may start to clump together. Eye injuries, smoking and alcohol use, or diseases, like diabetes, may also contribute to cataract development.
What are the symptoms?
Common cataract symptoms include cloudy or blurry vision, poor night vision, or double vision. You may also notice glare or a halo appearance around lights. And colors may seem faded.
How do you detect cataracts?
You may notice the symptoms of cataracts, but they are best detected through a comprehensive exam by one of our doctors at Woodhams Eye Clinic. A visual acuity test will measure how well you are seeing at various distances, and a dilated eye exam will allow your doctor to examine your retina and optic nerve after drops have dilated your pupils. Additional tests may be performed to assess the overall health of your eye.
How do you treat cataracts?
To treat your cataract, our doctors will remove your clouded lens and replace it with an acrylic or silicone intraocular lens. PreLex™ (Presbyopic Lens Exchange) can be a great option to provide distance and near vision. Woodhams Eye Clinic is the exclusive provider in Georgia for PreLex™ to treat or prevent the development of cataracts. Other options include Enhanced Cataract Surgery and standard cataract surgery.
What is cataract surgery like?
The PreLex procedure is an outpatient surgery performed at our surgical center. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Your visit on surgery day, including pre-op preparation, will take 2 to 3 hours. Dr. Woodhams removes your natural lens with ultrasonic vibrations through a micro-incision of less than 3 mm. Your multifocal replacement lens is inserted through the same hole. Sutures are generally not required because the small incision will heal on its own.
What are the risks of cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery, like any other surgery, does pose risks like infection and bleeding. We will discuss pre-surgery precautions, such as not taking certain medications that will increase the risk of bleeding during surgery, and postoperative care with you, such as keeping your eye clean and using medications to decrease the risk of infection.
