| What is a Cataract? |
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| A cataract is a loss of transparency, or clouding, of the normally clear lens of the eye. This lens is a part of the eye that helps focus light on the retina. It is located behind the iris. |
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| What causes Cataracts? – A basic anatomy |
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The lens of the eye is located immediately behind the iris and is responsible for 33% of the eye’s focusing power. The cornea is a clear structure at the front of the eye and provides the remaining 67%.
The function of the lens is to provide fine focus, especially up close. The lens changes shape to alter the power of the eye (accommodate) and adjusts focus for near and intermediate objects. At birth it is like jelly, but unfortunately with age it gradually hardens and loses its ability to change shape. Evidence of this hardening normally starts to affect us in our mid-forties when many require reading glasses for close work. This is called Presbyopia.
Those requiring glasses or contact lenses most of their life (i.e.before their forties) for shortsight, longsight and/or astigmatism usually have what is called a Refractive Disorder. This is where the length of the eye in relation to the shape of the cornea causes the point of focus at the back of the eye to fall short of or beyond the retina. Many with a refractive disorder find that laser eye surgery is a good option. However it can be limited in its ability to treat Presbyopia.
With further increase in age, the lens continues to harden and starts to become more compact and cloudy, reducing initially quality of vision and later obstructing vision and interfering with day to day activities. A cloudy of opaque lens is called a cataract and unfortunately is inevitable should we live long enough. |
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| What are Cataract symptoms? |
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| The typical symptoms of cataract formation is a slow, progressive and painless decrease in vision of variable degrees. The loss of transparency of the lens may be so mild that vision is hardly affected, or so severe that no shapes or movements are seen, only light and dark. |
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Blurring of vision |
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Poor night vision |
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Glare, particularly at night |
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Frequent eyeglass prescription change |
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A decrease in colour intensity |
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A yellowing of images |
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Double vision (in rare cases) |
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| Who can be treated? |
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People with visually significant lens cloudiness |
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People of any age |
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A comprehensive eye examination including visual acuity test, tonometry (measurement of the pressure inside the eye), pupil dilation, cornea measurements and tests to measure the size of the eye will determine your suitability for the procedure. |
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| How is a cataract treated? |
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The cloudy lens is removed through a tiny incision and a foldable focusing implant is put in its place.
To read more about the procedure, click here… |
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| What Implant options are available? |
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Modern lenses are able to increase range of focus to include both distance and near vision. Centre for Sight offers a variety of Multi-focal and Accommodating Implants (collectively known as Added-value lenses) to suit your needs. The lens choice is customised to suit the patient and depends on their overall eye condition including their optical system and considering the visual needs of the patient.
Centre for Sight surgeons will choose an implant which they believe will provide the best outcome for the individual patient
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To read more about the Implants available at the Centre for Sight, click here… |
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