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by Jennifer Shipman
edited by Richard Herbst, COT
Cataract surgery is another of the comprehensive services offered at Wilkinson Eye Center. W. Scott Wilkinson, M.D. performs cataract surgery weekly at a local ambulatory surgery center. Dr. Wilkinson is a Board Certified ophthalmologist with specialty training in cataract and refractive surgery.
What is a cataract?
Our eyes are amazing designs. Light enters our eye through the pupil (the dark central hole in the colored iris) and passes through the lens (the clear part of the eye right behind the pupil). The light refracts (think of bending light with a prism) and focuses on the back of the eye, called the retina. This is where the images we see are formed, to be sent to and interpreted by the brain as vision.
Good vision relies on a clear lens. The lens is made up primarily of protein and water. When those proteins start to break up or clump the result is a cataract. This causes the light to scatter rather than focus properly; clouded vision is the result we see. Symptoms include:
- Reduced vision: blurred, cloudy, dim, or hazy
- Faded, yellowed or browned coloring
- Difficulty with night vision
- Light and glare sensitivity, halos around lights
- Frequent changes in refractive error (eyeglass prescription)
Types of cataracts
Age-related cataract
Most cataracts develop as a normal part of the aging process. Though the medical term may be "senile" (a term that causes much consternation!), in fact it is very common to begin developing cataracts as young as 40 or 50. Typically cataracts will grow very slowly; so slowly, in fact, that we do not even notice them at first and only over time does our vision become affected. Your doctor may diagnose you with "trace" cataracts - you may not need surgery for years! Cataracts will often develop in both eyes though not always at the same rate. They do not "spread" from one eye to the other.
Juvenile or congenital cataract
Sometimes babies are born with cataracts or children develop them very young, possibly due to an infection the mother suffered during pregnancy or genetics. These do not always affect vision, though if they do they are usually removed.
Secondary cataract
Cataracts may develop secondary to surgery or other eye problems, chronic diseases such as diabetes, or steroid medication use.
Traumatic cataract
Cataracts can also develop after trauma to the eye - sometimes even years after the injury.
Causes and risk factors
Because cataracts develop with age, eventually everyone is at risk. There are some factors that can increase the risk of developing cataracts sooner, however:
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Extensive sunlight exposure
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Family history of cataracts
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Previous injury to or inflammation of the eye
- Previous eye surgery
- Long-term use of steroid medications
So what should I do?
Wear sunglasses! Stop smoking. Eat right (leafy green veggies, fruit, food high in antioxidants). Have regular eye exams! We recommend a comprehensive dilated eye exam every 1-2 years (your doctor will advise you on frequency). Take good care of your health, especially if you have other health problems like diabetes.
As cataracts develop, sometimes stronger light or a change in glasses prescription can help, though when cataracts become too advanced these will no longer work. Cataracts can't be reversed and there are no drops or medications for them, so don't take drops that claim to do this. Cataracts can be treated with surgery.
Cataract surgery is delicate surgery performed by our skilled surgeon - Dr. Wilkinson - using a microscope, miniature instruments and the latest modern technology. You will be in good hands choosing the Wilkinson Eye Center for your  cataract surgery. A cataract is ready to be removed when it begins to interfere with your everyday activities. You will make an informed decision with your doctor when the time comes. Cataract surgery removes the cloudy natural lens of the eye and replaces it with a clear artificial lens (an IOL: intraocular lens). All aspects of the surgery are discussed with your ophthalmologist, including prep and recovery, benefits and risks. Over 1.4 million people have cataract surgery every year with less than 5% experiencing even a minor complication.
You can learn more about cataract surgery at Wilkinson Eye Center by visiting our website. Other good sources of information are linked in the footnotes below.
If you have questions, always feel free to call us, or write them down for your next eye exam! Any of our fully-qualified doctors can perform your comprehensive dilated eye exam and determine if cataract surgery might be the next step for you. We look forward to seeing you, and to you seeing clearly!
National Eye Institute of Health. Facts About Cataracts. Retrieved June 29, 2011 from the NEI website: http://www.nei.nih.gov/.
American Academy of Ophthalmology. Cataracts. Retrieved February June 29, 2011 from the American Academy of Ophthalmology website: http://www.aao.org/.
America Optemetric Association. Cataract. Retrieved June 29, 2011 from the AOA website: http://www.aoa.gov/.
Mayo Clinic. Cataracts. Retrieved June 29, 2011 from the Mayo Clinic website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/. | 
even sensitivity to light.
Allergies aren't pleasant or pretty but fortunately pose no threat to eyesight. However, infections or other eye problems could produce similar symptoms and 
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