Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in Canada, affecting over 2.5 million Canadians.
With various treatment options and highly developed surgeries, vision loss due to cataracts is reversible.
What are cataracts?
Cataracts occur when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, preventing light rays from passing clearly through the lens and reaching the retina.
"The human eye works similarly to a camera, where the eye captures light and movement from the surrounding world and sends the information to the brain to be interpreted," says Dr. Marisa Sit, comprehensive ophthalmologist at UHN's Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute.
"When the lens becomes cloudy enough to affect vision, we call it a cataract."
Do cataracts only affect the older population?
The most common cause of cataracts is aging. The majority of cataracts cases are in people over age 60.
While cataracts mostly affect older adults, the condition can affect people of all ages. Infants and young adults may have cataracts, either present at birth or sometimes related to other medical conditions, such as diabetes.
Common risk factors of developing cataracts include:
- Aging
- Previous eye injury
- Certain medications, such as steroids
- Existing medical conditions, such as diabetes
- Smoking
- Increased exposure to the sun without proper protection from ultraviolet rays
- Family history of cataracts
What are the early signs of cataracts?
A cataract may develop rapidly over a few months or slowly over several years.
Symptoms of cataracts can be different for each person. Common signs include:
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Sensitivity to bright sunlight, headlights or lamps
- Lights causing a glare or halo
- Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription
- Fading or yellowing of colours
- Poor night vision
- Double vision
Dr. Sit recommends people consult an eye specialist if experiencing changes in vision or difficulty performing daily tasks due to decreased vision.
How are cataracts diagnosed?
Ophthalmologists and optometrists diagnose cataracts through a comprehensive eye exam, including a visual acuity test, testing how well you can see an eye chart, and a slit-lamp exam.
A slit-lamp exam is a routine eye exam that lets your eye care professional to examine the structures at the front of your eye up close, using a microscope.
What are some common treatment options for cataracts?
There are several treatment options for patients with cataracts. It differs based on symptoms, age and how advanced the condition is.
In early stages, vision loss caused by cataracts may be helped by using or updating prescription eyeglasses.
If the condition progresses and has an impact on your overall quality of life, safety or everyday activities, your eye care specialist may recommend cataract surgery.
"The goal of cataract surgery is to correct the decreased vision caused by the cataract," says Dr. Sit.
Is cataract surgery invasive? Is it painful?
Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries in Canada.
"It's one of the safest and most effective surgeries," says Dr. Sit.
Cataract surgery is intraocular surgery. During surgery, an ophthalmologist removes the cataract, or cataracts, and puts in a new artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). The IOL will be left in the eye permanently.
There are different ways to keep patients comfortable during the surgery, such as using drops to freeze the eye or pain medication inside the eye while performing the surgery, or delivering intravenous medications to reduce pain and relax the body.
Will cataracts come back after surgery? What should someone consider following the surgery?
Cataract surgery has a very high success rate. Most patients see a dramatic improvement in their visual acuity within a few days after the surgery.
"Some people may still need to wear glasses or contact lenses following the surgery to help correct near- or far-sightedness, and to correct presbyopia," says Dr. Sit.
"But cataracts won't come back after surgery."
The risk of surgery is very low, which means that most patients will not experience any complications.
If you experience an increase in pain, redness in the eye or decreased vision following surgery, seek help and consult an eye care professional.
