Cataract surgery is used to remove a cloudy lens from the eye and replace it with an artificial one in order to restore clear vision. Cataracts usually affect people over the age of over 50. The National Institute of Health states that cataract affects approximately 24 million Americans, however this number is projected to increase to 38.7 million by 2030.
3 Types Of Cataracts
- Nuclear sclerotic cataract
- Cortical cataract
- Posterior subcapsular cataract
Nuclear sclerotic cataract is the most common type. It starts to form in the middle of the lens which causes it to harden and become cloudy over time, which can take years. The cataract may be yellow or brownish in appearance depending on the patient, which can affect the patient’s ability to distinguish colours effectively.
Cortical cataracts start on the outside edges of the lens and, over time, it spreads to the center. Most people with cortical cataracts will have blurry vision, but there are other symptoms like difficulty distinguishing between colors and double vision in one eye.
Posterior subcapsular cataract starts at the back of the lens’s surface beneath the lens capsule where tissue becomes increasingly cloudy over time. This type of cataract often develops quickly and can have symptoms like sensitivity to light, night glare and halos.
How do cataracts affect vision?
Cataracts are mostly caused by natural aging, but they can also develop at any age; sometimes it even develops in children who can be born with this condition. As cataract develops, the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy, it can also cause some problems like blurry vision, color perception, poor night vision and so on.
What Is The Average Age For Developing Cataract
Around the age of 40, the proteins in the lens of the eye start to break down, causing the transparent lens to become more cloudy and yellow. As the patients get more and more older, the cataract gets more serious and clouds more of the lens. Recognizable signs and symptoms will appear in patients who are in their 50s or 60s and more than half of all Americans over the age of 80 have experienced the effects of cataracts.
What Is The Average Age for a Cataract Surgery
The average age of Cataract Surgery in the US is 72 years old, but the evidence suggests that the average age is beginning to decrease. There were also recent studies which implied that more and more younger people are choosing cataract surgery. The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery suggests that younger patients are less likely to accept the inconvenience of a cataract and are choosing to have surgery at younger ages.
Does laser cataract surgery help?
Of course it helps! A cataract surgeon will use advanced laser technology to break up the affected lens, so it doesn’t block or distort your vision. The natural lens is replaced with an intraocular lens that can also improve refractive errors, like nearsightedness or astigmatism.
So, should everyone consider laser cataract surgery? Laser cataract surgery can offer numerous benefits that traditional cataract surgery can’t, including increased precision, safety, and even better visual outcomes. However, it is important to discuss with an ophthalmologist to decide if it is the best option for your specific needs and circumstances.
What Is Cataract Surgery Like?
Cataract surgery is a very common and safe procedure. It is performed in an outpatient setting and patients can return home the same day. Patients have surgery done in one eye and typically return for the second eye in a few weeks.
First, your eye is numbed with a local anesthetic (either eye drops or an injection). You will remain awake during this procedure, but you will be given light sedation through an IV to make you relaxed and comfortable, Dr. Wang explains. “The surgery is overall fairly painless,” she says. “Most patients complain due to little itching or irritation during the first night, but their vision will surely improve by the next day.” Dr. Wang also adds “We recommend patients to take it easy and only do light activity, no heavy lifting or bending. Other than that, you can usually go back to work in a day or two.”
