A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. Some common symptoms of a cataract may include:

In a very early cataract the cloudiness may not be enough to affect your vision that much especially if the cloudiness is not in the center of your lens. 

Common causes of cataracts may include:

How fast does a cataract develop?
Most cataracts develop very slowly and are age-related. But some cataracts can develop much quicker if a patient has a medical history such as diabetes, trauma to the eye or a medical history that includes steroid use for certain medical conditions. Depending on where the cloudiness is located on the lens, the cataract may be more visually debilitating and can cause more glare type problems. The physicians at Eye Associates of Tallahassee can evaluate your eyes and see if the cataract is the reason for your blurred vision.

How is a cataract treated?
Surgery is the only way a cataract can be removed.  If the cataract is not bothering you as far as your sight and getting around and doing the things you like and need to do, surgery may not be needed yet. As a cataract progresses it can change your eyeglass prescription needs and sometimes simply changing the eyeglass prescription will allow you to see well enough. The cataract may continue to progress and then changing your eyeglasses may not be enough.  Then it may be time to consider cataract surgery.

Protecting your eyes from excessive sunlight may also help slow the progression of cataracts.  Sunglasses help screen out ultraviolet rays which can cause progression of cataracts.

How is a cataract removed?
A cataract is removed through a very small incision.  This is usually performed under local or topical anesthesia as an outpatient surgery.  During this surgery, the cloudy lens is removed from the eye.  In most cases, the focusing power of the natural lens is replaced with a permanent intraocular lens implant.

 

This surgery is done through a very small incision using a microscope, miniature instruments and other modern technology. The cloudy lens is broken up using ultrasound and the latest technological advances. The surgeons at Eye Associates of Tallahassee can remove your cataract and implant an intraocular lens with these same advanced techniques.

 

After surgery, you will need to take some eye drops and your surgeon will check your eye several times to make sure it is healing properly.

Cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure.  Most patients can expect improved vision unless there is a problem with the cornea, retina, optic nerve or other structures in the eye. It is important to understand that complications can occur with any type of surgery including eye surgery during surgery or after the surgery.  They can be significant enough to limit vision. Statistically complications with eye surgery are very low but they do exist. If you experience even the slightest problem after cataract surgery, you should notify your ophthalmologist immediately.

In many people who have cataract surgery the natural capsule that supports the intraocular lens becomes cloudy.  Should this occur, our doctors can open up this cloudy capsule with a laser called a YAG laser. 

Congenital Cataracts
There are numerous causes of congenital cataracts including a myriad of diseases and syndromes that include childhood cataracts. Most congenital cataracts are either sporadic meaning there is no identifiable cause or are dominantly inherited. The inherited kind most likely will result in bilateral cataracts.

Congenital cataracts are almost always initially diagnosed by a pediatrician in the first few weeks or months of life. The patient is then typically referred to a pediatric or general ophthalmologist. Cataract surgery is usually performed fairly early in the child’s life however this decision is based on many factors such as the child’s overall health and whether the cataract is bilateral or unilateral. 

Cataract surgery on an infant or a child is done under general anesthesia in the operating room.  The cloudy lens is removed and an intraocular lens may or may not be implanted depending on many factors. A child most likely will have to wear glasses or a contact lens post surgery if they do not get an implant.  Traditionally, intraocular lenses are not used in infants or very small children and thus contacts or thick glasses are fitted post surgery.  However, some ophthalmologists prefer to use implants even in children or infants.  This decision must be made between the treating physician and the parents of the child. Other conditions can occur with congenital or early cataracts in children such as amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (deviated or crossed eyes).  For more information regarding these two eye conditions refer to:
http://www.eyemdlink.com/Condition.asp?ConditionID=64
http://www.eyemdlink.com/Condition.asp?ConditionID=421

For further general information regarding cataracts or intraocular lens choices refer to these websites:
http://www.eyemdlink.com/Condition.asp?ConditionID=4
http://www.eyemdlink.com?EyeProcedure.asp?EyeProcedureID=18
http://www.crystalens.com
http://www.acrysofrestor.com