The Truth About Cataracts… Eyesight Can Be Improved

Issue 34.09

Did you know that 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts, one of the most curable causes of vision loss?

To recognize Cataract Awareness Month in August, Eye M.D.s want to debunk the myths about cataracts and remind people they don’t have to live with vision loss from cataracts.

A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s normally clear lens, blocking the passage of light needed for vision.  They form slowly and cause no pain.  Some stay small and hardly affect vision, but if the cataract does grow and begin to affect your vision, it can usually be removed with surgery.

“Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide; however, in most cases, vision loss from cataracts is reversible,” said Dr. William Barlow, MD, an ophthalmologist at Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists in St. George.  “New techniques developed over the past decade have made cataract surgery one of the safest and most successful procedures available in terms of restoring quality of life to patients.”  Each year there are more than 1.6 million of these delicate eye surgeries performed in the United States.

“There are no drugs or exercises that will make a cataract disappear, and contrary to popular belief, cataracts are not removed using lasers.  Lasers are used in follow-up procedures, if needed.  Cataract surgery is most often done as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia,” says Dr. Barlow.  “The cloudy natural lens can be replaced with an artificial lens to give the eye proper focusing power.  In most cases, the improvement in the patient’s vision is profound.”

So how do you know if you have a cataract?  Dr. Barlow explains: “Some people notice a gradual painless blurring of vision, double vision in one eye or fading or yellowing of colors.  When older patients mention sensitivity to glare and/or bright light or trouble driving at night, this may be caused by cataracts.  Or, if a patient needs frequent changes to his or her glasses or contact lens prescriptions, I’ll evaluate him or her for a cataract.”

“Cataract surgery, although quite safe, is still surgery.  If cataracts don’t affect your quality of life, you may feel that surgery is not needed.  The only person who can really decide when it’s time to have them removed is you, under the care of your doctor.”

Cataract surgery has advanced to include artificial lens’ that allow you to reduce or potentially eliminate the need for glasses.  “This technology is an improvement on the original design.  It increases the quality of vision without glasses, especially with intermediate visual activities such as using a computer.”  Dr. Jason Ahee, MD, senior partner of Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists, was the first Eye M.D. in Southern Utah to implant this new lens technology.  Dr. Barlow says, “We have been very pleased with our initial results with this exciting new technology.”