Cataracts Treatment · Ophthalmologist Dr. Deluca, Top Eye Doctor & Specialist in NYC

Early cataract formation can be dealt with by improving your vision with anti-glare sunglasses, new eyeglasses, magnifying lenses and brighter lighting. If the cataracts have advanced to the degree where these measures aren’t effective, then cataract surgery is the only remaining treatment. Consult your eye doctor or ophthalmologist in NYC about surgical options and whether it’s a good choice for you. Since postponing cataract surgery doesn’t cause long-term eye damage or make the surgery more difficult, there’s no rush to receive surgical treatment. Make your appointment today. Get the eye care you need in the safe, reassuring hands of the best rated NYC eye specialists.

Cataracts

A cataract is a cloudy film over the lens of your eye that adversely affects your vision. Cataracts are typically a result of aging, and they’re more common in the elderly. According to the National Eye Institute, by the age of 80, more than half of all Americans have cataracts or have been treated surgically for cataracts.

Cataracts aren’t contagious, and they can’t travel from one eye to the other. But cataracts may occur in one eye or both eyes independently. While most cataracts are brought on by aging, some types aren’t. These include:

• Secondary cataracts develop after eye problems such as glaucoma or after eye surgery. Secondary cataracts may also form in people with other health issues such as diabetes. These cataracts have also been linked to steroid use.
• Radiation cataracts originate after some types of radiation exposure. Because the lenses of your eyes are so very light sensitive, ionizing radiation can cause cataracts to form.
• Congenital cataracts are birth defects. Babies can be born with congenital cataracts or develop them during childhood. They often appear in both eyes, but they are usually so small that they don’t affect vision. In cases where vision is affected, the lenses may have to be removed.
• Traumatic cataracts develop after a traumatic blunt force injury to one or both eyes. The symptoms from this condition sometimes don’t form until years after the injury.

If you are having any abnormal visual symptoms, you should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by a physician for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan as it may be a symptom or sign of a serious illness or condition.

Symptoms of Cataracts

The symptoms most people experience with cataracts are:

• Blurry or cloudy vision
• Colors that appear to be faded
• Seeing a halo effect around lights
• Lamps, sunlight, headlights, and glare that appear too bright
• Poor night vision that’s getting worse
• Double vision in the affected eye(s)
• Frequently changing eyeglasses or contact lens prescriptions

These symptoms aren’t exclusive to cataracts and may be a sign of other eye issues. If any of these symptoms appear in your eyes, consult with your eye doctor or ophthalmologist for an accurate diagnosis. If you are having any abnormal visual symptoms, you should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by a physician for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan as it may be a symptom or sign of a serious illness or condition.

Causes and Consequences of Cataracts

Cataracts form on the lens of your eye, which is directly behind the iris and the pupil. The lens works like a camera lens, focusing light on the retina in the back of your eye, which then forms an image for your brain. The lens, comprised of water and protein that allows light to pass through while keeping the lens clear, enables you to see far away and close up clearly.

As you age, these proteins clump together, making that part of the lens thicker — which causes blurry vision. This clumping of proteins is what is called a cataract. It can grow larger over time, obscuring more of the lens and making it more difficult to see.

Aside from aging, researchers have discovered other potential causes of cataracts, such as diabetes, alcohol abuse and smoking. The primary cause of cataracts is simply that the proteins in the lens change from wear and tear on the eye over decades.

Age-related cataracts are by far the most common type. Cataracts that develop from old age can affect your vision in two ways:

1. Clumps of protein form on the lens, reducing the quality of sight
2. The lens color changes to a yellowish or brownish tint, reducing the quality of perceived colors

When the color-changing effect is present, your lens slowly darkens with time. It typically appears as a yellowish tint and grows to more of a brownish shade over a period of years. Initially, the light tinting may not be a problem for you, but it eventually affects the amount of light and sharpness of the image projected onto your retina. Advanced discoloration limits your ability to identify the difference between purples and blues.

Diagnosis of Cataracts

Cataracts can be detected through routine eye exams. Typically, they’re discovered in the following types of tests at your eye doctor’s office:

• Tonometry: Your ophthalmologist uses an instrument to measure the pressure inside your eye. If you’re worried about pain, your doctor first applies numbing drops to your eye before the procedure.
• Dilated eye exam: Your pupils are dilated, or widened, by medicated drops on your eyes. Your ophthalmologist then views your optic nerve and retina through a special magnifying lens to detect signs of damage or other eye issues.
• Visual acuity test: This is an eye chart test to determine your ability to see clearly at various distances. It’s normally done without magnifying lenses, and one eye at a time is tested.

Treatment for Cataracts

Early cataract formation can be dealt with by improving your vision with anti-glare sunglasses, new eyeglasses, magnifying lenses and brighter lighting. If the cataracts have advanced to the degree where these measures aren’t effective, then cataract surgery is the only remaining treatment.

In surgery, either the cataract itself is removed or your entire lens is removed and then replaced with an artificial lens. A cataract’s removed only if the vision loss interferes with daily activities like reading, driving or watching TV. Consult your eye doctor about surgical options and whether it’s a good choice for you. Since postponing cataract surgery doesn’t cause long-term eye damage or make the surgery more difficult, there’s no rush to receive surgical treatment.

There are occasions where your ophthalmologist may recommend removing a cataract surgically even if it’s not causing problems with your vision. For example, a cataract needs to be removed if it prohibits the treatment or examination of another eye issue, such as diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration.

If you’re concerned about the safety and effectiveness of cataract surgery, don’t be. It’s one of the most effective and safest forms of surgery. Cataract removal is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States, and in 90 percent of cases, according to a 2015 report by the National Eye Institute, patients report improved vision after the surgery.

There are risks with any surgery, however, regardless of the procedure. Common risks include bleeding and infection. Prior to your surgery, you may be asked to stop taking some medications that could increase the risk of bleeding during the surgery. After the surgery, you’ll have to be diligent in maintaining cleanliness in your eye to prevent infection. This includes washing your hands before touching your eye, and taking prescription drugs to reduce the chance of infection. Infection is a serious matter as it may result in a loss of vision.

If you are having any abnormal visual symptoms, you should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by your local eye doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan as it may be a symptom or sign of a serious illness or condition.

Important Reminder: This information is only intended to provide guidance, not a definitive medical advice. Please consult eye doctor about your specific condition. Only a trained, experienced board certified eye doctor can determine an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

Do you have any questions about Treatment of Eye Cataracts? Would like to schedule an appointment with a best NYC Ophthalmologist Dr. Richard L. Deluca or optometry specialist in NYC Dr. Saba Khodadadian of Manhattan Eye Doctors & Specialists, please contact our office for consultation with New York City Eye doctor.