Cataract Development

It is normal with the aging process for cataracts to develop. It is when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy over time. Cataracts can develop at an earlier age due to UV exposure, injury, heredity, and certain diseases such as diabetes.

In the early stages of cataract development, vision can usually be improved by changing your eyeglass prescription. Cataracts should be evaluated once a year to fine tune the prescription.

Eventually, changing the eyeglass prescription is no longer sufficient to maintain good vision. Blurred vision will interfere with normal daily activities such as driving, reading, etc. At that point, referral to an ophthalmologist will be made for cataract removal.

At Thomas Eye Center, we perform pre-op and post-op for all of our patients in need of cataract surgery.

About Cataract Surgery

A cataract is removed using a small incision into the eye, and then is removed using a method called phacoemulsification. An ultrasound probe is placed into the cataract and at a very high speed breaks up the cataract into tiny pieces and is removed using aspiration through a small tube.

Once the cataract is removed, it is replaced with a new, clear lens called an intraocular lens implant. Depending on the implant you choose, there is a chance you will no longer have to wear glasses for certain activities.

Cataract removal is considered to be one of the safest surgical procedures known to modern medicine. The rate of complications is extremely low.