CATARACT AWARENESS MONTH
Here at Atlantic Eye, we treat a wide variety of conditions that affect the eyes, but few are as common and prevalent as cataracts. In the US, about half of adults over the age of 75 are affected by cataracts. Many people have heard of cataracts because of how common this condition is, but I wanted to highlight exactly what a cataract is, the symptoms it may cause, and how it can be treated.
Our eye is an incredibly complex organ that allows us to detect the light around us and convert these light signals into the images we perceive as vision. Very similar to a camera, our eye contains a lens that has the ability to focus light. As light from the environment enters our eye, it passes through our lens and is focused onto our retina in the back of the eye. Light must be focused properly in order for us to see clearly, and the lens is pivotal to achieving this. Our lens normally starts out as clear when we are born and over time gradually becomes cloudy. A cataract is a cloudy lens in the eye. As cataracts develop, a common symptom that people experience is glare, particularly at night while driving. Cataracts also cause blurry vision during the daytime, sensitivity to light, haloes, starbursts, and difficulty seeing in low-light conditions. When cataracts progress, the quality of vision can diminish and it may feel as though you are constantly looking through a dirty window.
There are a few environmental factors that can contribute to cataract development. UV radiation from the sun can speed up the process of cataract development. This is another reason why it is very important to wear UV protective eyewear, especially during the warmer months. Additionally, the chronic use of certain medications such as corticosteroids, diabetes, smoking, alcohol use, and trauma also can contribute to the development of cataracts.
Luckily cataracts are treated with a quick and relatively comfortable surgical procedure. The surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens implant. The procedure typically takes about 10-20 minutes and is usually performed as an outpatient under sedation and local anesthesia. At Atlantic Eye, we perform cataract surgery at our main office in Eatontown where our state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center is located. With advancements in technology, there are now many different types of lens implants that can decrease your dependence on glasses after cataract surgery. We offer the most advanced technology available including multifocal / extended depth of focus lenses, light adjustable lens implants and astigmatism-reducing (toric) lenses. We also provide femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery as an option to those that are good candidates. All these options are personalized to each patient. The surgeons at Atlantic Eye spend a great deal of time working with each patient to come up with a unique treatment plan focused on the patient’s goals. We invite you to schedule a consultation with us to learn more about cataract surgery!
Joseph F. Kristan, MD, FAAO
Cataract, Cornea, and Refractive Surgery
Atlantic Eye
If you are interested in scheduling an eye exam with one of our award-winning physicians, please call us at 732-222-7373 or use our convenient online appointment form.