A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in the normally clear lens of the eye. Depending on its size and location, it can interfere with normal vision. Most cataracts develop in persons over age 55, but they occasionally occur in infants and young children. Usually people develop cataracts in both eyes, but one eye may have somewhat worse vision than the other.
The lens is located inside the eye behind the iris, the colored part of the eye. It works like a camera lens to focus light on the back of the eye, the retina. The lens is made of mostly proteins and water. Clouding of the lens occurs due to changes in the proteins and lens fibers.
The lens is composed of layers like an onion. The outermost is the capsule. The middle layer is the cortex and the innermost layer is the nucleus. A cataract may develop in any of these areas and is described based on its location in the lens:
- A cortical cataract affects the middle layer of the lens. It is identified by its unique wedge or spoke appearance.
- A nuclear cataract is located in the center of the lens. The nucleus tends to darken changing from clear to yellow and sometimes brown.
- A posterior capsular cataract is found in the back outer layer of the lens. This type often develops more rapidly.
Types of Cataracts
Cortical cataract Nuclear cataract Posterior capsular cataract
Normally, the lens focuses light on the retina, which sends the image through the optic nerve to the brain. However, if the lens is clouded by a cataract, light is scattered so the lens can no longer focus it properly, causing vision problems.
Cataracts generally form very slowly. Symptoms of a cataract may include:
- Blurred or hazy vision
- Colors of objects may not appear as bright or it may be more difficult to distinguish between certain colors
- Increased sensitivity to glare from lights, particularly when driving at night
- Seeing multiple images
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Temporary improvement in near vision
While the process by which cataracts form is becoming more clearly understood, there is no clinically established treatment to prevent or slow their progression. In age-related cataracts, changes in vision can be very gradual. Some people may not initially recognize the visual changes. However, as cataracts worsen vision symptoms tend to increase in severity.
What causes a cataract?
Most cataracts are due to age-related changes in the lens. However, other factors can contribute to their development including:
- Diabetes mellitus – Persons with diabetes are at higher risk for cataracts.
- Drugs – Certain medications have been found to be associated with the development of a cataract. These include:
- Corticosteroids
- Phenothiazine or other thiazines
- Chlorpromazine
- Ultraviolet radiation – Studies have shown that there is an increased chance of cataract formation with unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
- Smoking – An association between smoking and increased nuclear opacities has been reported.
- Alcohol – Several studies have shown increased cataract formation in patients with higher alcohol consumption compared with people who have lower or no alcohol consumption.
- Nutrition – Although the results are inconclusive, studies have suggested an association between cataract formation and low levels of antioxidants (e.g. vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids). Further studies may show that antioxidants have a significant effect on decreasing the incidence of cataract development.
Rarely, cataracts can be present at birth or develop shortly after. They may be inherited or develop due to an infection in the mother, such as reubella, during pregnancy. A cataract may also develop following an injury to the eye or surgery for another eye problem, such as glaucoma.
While there are no clinically proven approaches to preventing cataracts, a simple low-cost and low-risk preventive strategy is to reduce exposure to sunlight, decrease or discontinue smoking and increase antioxidant vitamin intake through consumption of leafy green vegetables and nutritional supplements.
How is a cataract diagnosed?
Cataracts can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. This examination may include:
- Patient history to determine vision difficulties experienced by the patient that may limit their daily activities and other general health concerns affecting vision.
- Visual acuity measurement to determine to what extent a cataract may be limiting clear vision at distance and near.
- Refraction to determine the need for changes in an eyeglass or contact lens prescription.
- Evaluation of the lens under high magnification and illumination to determine the extent and location of any cataracts.
- Evaluation of the retina of the eye through a dilated pupil.
- Measurement of pressure within the eye.
- Supplemental testing for color vision and glare sensitivity.
Additional testing may be needed to determine the extent of impairment to vision caused by a cataract and to evaluate whether other eye diseases may limit vision following cataract surgery.
Using the information obtained from these tests, your optometrist can determine if you have cataracts and advise you on options for treatment.
How is a cataract treated?
If a cataract affects vision only minimally, or not at all, no treatment may be needed.
The treatment of cataracts is based on the level of visual impairment they cause.
If a cataract affects vision only minimally, or not at all, no treatment may be needed. Patients may be advised to monitor for increased visual symptoms and follow a regular check-up schedule.
In some cases, a change in eyeglass prescription may provide temporary improvement in visual acuity. Increasing the amount of light used when reading and the use of anti-glare coatings on clear lenses can help reduce glare for night driving.
When a cataract progresses to the point where it affects a person’s ability to do normal everyday tasks, then surgery may be needed. Cataract surgery involves removing the lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens. The artificial lens requires no care and can significantly improve vision. New artificial lens options include those that simulate the natural focusing ability of a young healthy lens.
Two approaches to cataract surgery are generally used:
- Small incision cataract surgery involves making an incision in the side of the cornea, the clear outer covering of the eye, and inserting a tiny probe into the eye. The probe emits ultrasound waves that soften and break-up the lens so it can be removed by suction. This process is called phacoemulsification.
- Extracapsular surgery requires a somewhat larger incision in the cornea and the lens is removed in one piece.
Once the natural lens has been removed, it is replaced by a clear plastic lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). For situations where implanting an IOL is not possible because of other eye problems, contact lenses and in some cases eyeglasses may be an option to provide needed vision correction.
As with any surgery, cataract surgery has risks from infection and bleeding. Cataract surgery also slightly increases the risk of retinal detachment. It is important to discuss the benefits and risks of cataract surgery with your eye care providers. Other ocular conditions may increase the need for cataract surgery or prevent a person from being a cataract surgery candidate.
Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective types of surgery performed in the United States today. Approximately 90 percent of cataract surgery patients report better vision following the surgery.
