Cataract, Las Vegas, Southwest Eye, Dr. David Malitz, Premium Lens Implant
Cataracts are opacifications of the natural lens in the eye (the transparent structure at the front of the eye) that result in blurred vision. They can develop in one or both eyes, and one eye can often be more affected than the other.
The lens
In youth, the lens is normally clear and allows light to pass through to the back of the eye.
However, if parts of the lens become cloudy (opaque), light is unable to pass freely through the cloudy patches. The light is scattered resulting in glare and halos.
Over time, the opacifiation usually progresses, and more clouding develops. As less light is able to pass through the lens, the person’s vision is likely to become blurry or cloudy. The cloudier the lens becomes, the more the person’s sight and daily activities will be affected.
How common are age-related cataracts?
Cataracts are the main cause of impaired vision in the world, particularly in developing countries. They affect men and women equally.
Cataracts most commonly affect older people. Cataracts that affect older people are known as age-related cataracts. In the USA, it is estimated that more than half of people who are over 65 years of age have some cataract development in one or both eyes.
Childhood cataracts
In rare cases, babies have cataracts when they are born, or children develop them at a young age. These are called "Congenital Cataracts".
Outlook
If cataracts are mild, stronger glasses and brighter reading lights may enable people to live with the condition. However, if left untreated, in later stages cataracts can cause blindness.
Once cataracts start interfering with daily activities such as driving, reading, cooking or getting dressed, surgery is usually offered. It is estimated that around 10 million cataract operations are performed around the world each year. Cataract operations are generally very successful with few complications.
If you have cataracts, it could affect your ability to drive. It is your legal obligation to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about a medical condition that could have an impact on your driving ability.
The good news is that with successful cataract surgery, your vision can be restored and you may even be able to see better than you saw before you developed cataracts!