Cataracts

Cataract Surgery Specialists at Southwestern Eye Center

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia.

What is an Eye Cataract?

Cataracts are a cloudiness of the crystalline lens of the eye resulting in reduced vision. In a normal eye, the clear cornea allows light to enter. The iris controls the amount of light entering the eye by changing the size of the pupil. The light passes through a clear lens and is focused by the lens onto the back of the eye, or the retina, creating a sharp, clear image.

Through the natural aging process, the clear lens gradually clouds and hardens. As the clouding increases, vision becomes fogged or blurry because the light is not clearly focused on the retina. This is called a cataract.

A cataract may take a number of years to develop and usually form in both eyes, however not always at the same time. Although they are a natural part of the aging process and affect millions of Americans every year, they need to be properly diagnosed and treated.

What Causes Cataracts?

Cataracts are predominantly caused by the aging process, but other causes include medical conditions like diabetes, eye injuries and past surgeries, and long-term use of steroids.

A thorough eye examination by your ophthalmologist or optometrist can detect the presence and severity of a cataract, as well as any other conditions that may be causing blurred vision or discomfort. There are no medications, dietary supplements, exercises or optical devices that have been shown to prevent or cure cataracts. Surgery is the only way to correct your vision and remove the cataract. Southwestern Eye Center has many qualified cataract surgery specialists who specialize in cataract removal and replacement.

How is a Cataract Removed?

Cataract removal generally involves two steps: removal of the cloudy lens, and its replacement with a uniquely designed lens implant called an IOL (intraocular lens), specifically powered for your eye.

After Cataract Surgery

You may return almost immediately to all normal activities. Your ophthalmologist will direct you in the correct use of your post-surgical eye drops. Several postoperative visits are needed to check on the progress of the eye as it heals. Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed and successful surgeries in the United States.