Cataract Treatment Options: A Guide to Clear Vision
Cataract is an eye condition caused due to opacification of the eye lens.
The condition starts from cloudy vision and can lead to complete vision loss in severe cases.
Cataract treatment primarily involves surgery, replacing the eye lens with an artificial lens.
According to a report by Moshirfar et al, surgery has a high success rate of 99%, where patients experience improved vision after.
Read along to learn the cataract treatment options available and how they work to improve vision.
Prescription glasses
In the early stages of Cataracts, your ophthalmologist might prescribe wearing glasses or contact lenses, which can help improve vision.
These glasses and corrective lenses do not treat the condition but help you have clear vision.
They compensate for the cloudiness in the natural lens and enhance visual acuity.
However, as the Cataract develops, these glasses or contacts may no longer be sufficient to improve vision.
Surgeries
When the Cataract grows and reaches a stage where it starts affecting your daily life, surgery is prescribed as the treatment option.
According to a report, approximately 10 million Cataract operations are performed yearly worldwide.
In the procedure, the cloudy eye lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens.
The artificial lens is also called an intraocular lens.
Cataract surgery is usually done outpatient, meaning the patient does not need to stay for the night.
It is a safe and effective procedure but can sometimes cause side effects after the surgery.
There are different types of cataract surgery, including
Phacoemulsification
It is the most common cataract surgery, where the surgeon uses a small probe to break up the cloudy lens.
It then removes the lens through a tiny incision.
The procedure involves the use of Ultrasound energy to break the lens.
Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE)
This is an older technique for cataract treatment.
In the procedure, the surgeon removes the entire natural lens through a larger incision.
In the surgery, the eye lens is removed, leaving behind the capsule that holds the lens to support the artificial lens.
Laser-assisted cataract surgery
This newer technique uses a laser to break up the cloudy lens, making it easier to remove.
The femtosecond laser (FSL) is helpful in eye surgeries due to its ultrafast pulses in 10-15 seconds.
It requires less energy to break the tissue, reducing the surrounding tissue damage.
It is a more precise surgical method than others.
Type of lenses
The artificial lens used in cataract surgery is known as the intraocular lens.
There are different intraocular lenses based on power and function.
The types of lenses used are as follows,
- Monofocal IOLs: It corrects only distance vision; near-vision glasses are still required after surgery
- Toric IOLs: When the preoperative astigmatism is significantly high, a toric IOL is chosen
- Multifocal IOLs: These IOLs reduce the dependence on glasses, and patients can enjoy clear vision for both distance and near without spectacles after surgery
You can read more about these lenses in detail in Types of Lenses for Cataract Surgery: A Comprehensive Guide.
Lifestyle changes
In the early stages of cataracts, lifestyle changes can help improve vision.
In addition to the cataract treatments, the following practices can help cataract patients lead an everyday life.
- Use eyeglasses or contact lenses with the accurate power possible
- Use a magnifying glass to read when you need additional help reading
- Improve the lighting in the home with more or brighter lamps
- Avoid driving at night
Medications
There are no medications that can cure cataracts or reverse their progression.
However, doctors might prescribe some eye drops.
These eye drops can help reduce inflammation and swelling in the eyes.
Recent developments have shown that Cataract eye drops containing Lanosterol eye drops can help to keep the lens clear.
But, it is still under study and requires FDA approval for its use in Cataract patients.
What to expect from your doctor
When you start experiencing cataract symptoms, contacting your doctor should be the primary step.
To diagnose a cataract, your doctor might check your medical history.
They also look for Cataract symptoms and perform an eye examination.
The doctors might perform the following tests,
Visual acuity test
In the test, an eye chart measures your ability to read a series of letters.
Through the test, your eye doctor determines if you have 20/20 vision presence or any vision impairment symptoms.
Slit-lamp examination
The test allows your doctor to examine the presence of any structures at the front of your eye.
The microscope is called a slit lamp because it uses intense light to illuminate the different parts of your eye.
The slit helps your doctor to view these structures in small sections.
It makes it easier to detect any slight abnormalities.
Retinal exam
For a retinal exam, your eye doctor puts drops in your eyes to widen your pupils.
This makes it easier for the doctor to examine the retina.
They can examine your lens for any cataract symptoms using a slit lamp, also known as an ophthalmoscope.
Applanation tonometry
The test helps doctors to measure intraocular pressure.
Prevention
Cataract is a common disorder affecting more than 70% of older adults.
If you are experiencing symptoms, following practices can help prevent the Cataract from worsening.
- Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays
- See your doctor regularly to know your Cataract status
- Manage health problems like Diabetes that fuel Cataract developments
- Quit smoking
- Avoid drinking excess alcohol
- Follow a healthy diet
Conclusion
Cataract treatment options primarily include surgery.
At an early stage, prescription glasses and lifestyle modification can help patients lead normal lives.
Cataract surgery is a safe and effective option for treatment with a high success rate.
If you are experiencing any vision impairment problems, consult your doctor immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest treatment for cataracts?
The latest treatment for cataracts is Phacoemulsification. It is a surgical method where ultrasound energy is used to break the cloudy lens, which is replaced with an artificial lens.
At what stage are cataracts removed?
Cataracts are removed at the stage when they start interfering with daily life. Doctors prescribe surgery to remove the Cataract later in the condition when the vision becomes excessively cloudy. In other cases, Cataracts are removed when they interfere with other eye disorder treatments.
Can you cure cataracts without surgery?
No, presently, there are no other treatment options for cataracts other than surgery. However, in earlier stages, prescription glasses and lenses might be prescribed to improve vision in patients.
WowRx uses only high-quality sources while writing our articles. Please read our content information policy to know more about how we keep our content reliable and trustworthy.
