You Will See Clearly Now

Janiqueel takes a close look at cataracts – what they are, who gets them, and how to get rid of them

Fact One: Cataract surgery is simple, painless and (except with implants) risk-free… the whole procedure is common, routine and nothing to worry about. Fact Two: Fact One applies only to cataracts on the eyes in somebody else’s head.

– Helene Hanff

Not so many decades ago, ridding your eyes of cataracts was an in-hospital overnight (at least) procedure that was uncomfortable (think about sandbags on each side of your head to keep it steady) and not always successful. Hello, Century 21 where the in-patient procedure is fast and virtually painless with a high rate of favourable outcomes. Let’s have a close look (pun intended) at this common eye condition.

Cloudy vision, sensitivity to bright lights, glare (especially at night), deteriorating vision, and changes in prescription for eyeglasses are prominent symptoms of cataracts. Most commonly contracted in people over 40, they are most prevalent in seniors. Those who smoke, use alcohol heavily, live with bad air pollution, or have a family history of cataracts are more prone, but anyone can have them.

The eyes in all of us are made up of water and protein. As time moves on, the proteins break down leaving fragments in the eye that float around and cause trouble with your vision. It’s a natural process that sometimes is speeded up by diabetes, too much time in the sun, and radiation treatments among other causes.

If you think you might be experiencing some of the symptoms of cataracts, visit an eye doctor. Administering eye drops, the doctor can see to the very rear of your eye. With the pupil dilated, she will be able to see those bits of protein floating around. Then, she will determine how much your vision is affected negatively by the phenomenon.

If the obstruction is minimal, a new prescription for glasses or contacts may alleviate the problem. More obstruction, though, requires a more intense procedure. In the old days, this was nothing to look forward to. Now, it is nothing to dread. Once vision loss becomes problematic, the doctor will advise removal surgery. Taking about an hour, the surgery begins with drops or a shot to numb your eye. It’s virtually painless. Then the lens is broken into tiny pieces, removed, and a new, clear plastic one is inserted in its place. Called “phacoemulsification”, the procedure is suitable for most patients.

If it’s not, extracapsular is called for. It is basically the same routine, except that, in this case, the lens is removed whole before replacement with the plastic one. Here, the doctor makes a larger whole to remove the whole lens effectively. After effects with either procedure are minimal and basically the same: itching, watering, sensitivity to light, and blur. If you experience any pain, a mild pain reliever would suffice. Baby yourself and your eyes for a day, then go back to your normal routine. Without you doing anything except visiting the doctor again in about eight weeks, your eye should be back to normal. You will revel in the new clarity of your vision. It’s like finally washing your glasses after a long day. Chances are, you will still need those glasses or contacts, but you will definitely notice the difference. You have made the right decisions.

Some cataract cases require more intense care, but not many. For most of us, the relatively simple, comfortable experience that I’ve described will set you up with a clearer vision for a long time. It is a beautiful world!