How to Treat Cataracts: Latest Treatment Options

If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from cataracts, you know just how debilitating they can be. Not only do they cause blurry vision and difficulty seeing in low light, but they can also lead to other health problems if left untreated. In this blog post, we will discuss the latest cataract treatment options and how you can get the best care for your eyes.

What Is A Cataract?

A cataract is a name given to a condition in which the eye’s natural lens becomes increasingly opaque, usually due to age. This results in decreased vision and left untreated, cataracts can eventually lead to blindness.

There are two types of cataracts: congenital (present at birth) and acquired (develops later in life). Acquired cataracts are far more common and usually occur as a result of aging or injury. It is believed that a cataract is formed when the proteins in the eye’s natural lens begin to break down and clump together.

While there is no one definitive cause of cataracts, there are a number of risk factors that have been identified. These include:

• Age: The vast majority of cataracts are age-related. It is estimated that 50% of people over the age of 60 have some degree of cataract formation.
• UV light exposure: Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun has been linked to cataract formation. This is why it is important to wear sunglasses that offer UV protection when outdoors for extended periods of time.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing cataracts.
• Family history: If someone in your family has had cataracts, you may be more likely to develop them as well.

How Are Cataracts Treated?

Cataract treatment is an essential thing as this can help you in improving your vision. There are various methods that can be used for the treatment of this eye condition and some of them are surgery, laser therapy, and medications. There are various latest options available for cataract treatment and some of them are:

Surgery

This is one of the most common methods that are used for the treatment of cataracts. In this method, the surgeon will remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one. The surgery for cataracts is often successful and it can help in improving your vision. The procedure for cataract surgery is usually safe and it has a high success rate. As this is a surgical procedure, it is important to consult a doctor before undergoing this treatment.

Laser Therapy

This is another latest method that can be used for the treatment of cataracts. In this method, a laser is used to break up the cloudy lens so that it can be removed. This procedure is usually safe and it has a high success rate. Because it is a new method, the cost of laser therapy is usually high. Laser therapy is not covered by most insurance companies most usually however some will cover a portion of the cost.

Medications

There are various medications that can be used for the treatment of cataracts. These medications can help in slowing down the progression of cataracts. Some of the common medications that are used for this purpose are steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antioxidant supplements. Most commonly it is believed that a combination of these medications can be more effective than any one of them used alone.

Overall, it is important to consult a doctor if you think you have cataracts. An early diagnosis and treatment can help in preventing the condition from getting worse and causing more damage to your vision. There are various options available for cataract treatment and you should discuss with your doctor the best option for you.

When To Consider Cataract Surgery?

Although cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the U.S., there is no rush to have it done as soon as you develop a cataract. In fact, most people can wait until their vision interferes with their quality of life before considering surgery. If you are considering surgery you must have a comprehensive eye exam to determine the type of cataract you have as well as rule out any other possible vision problems.

As surgery is considered when you have cataracts that interfere with your quality of life, the next question becomes: when are cataracts considered to be interfering? The answer to this can be different for everyone, but in general, it is when your vision starts to impact your ability to do the things you love. Some of the examples include:

• Not being able to read or see the TV as well as you used to
• Not being able to drive at night because of the glare from oncoming traffic
• Difficulty seeing details when working on your hobbies, such as knitting or woodworking

If any of these things are starting to happen and impacting your quality of life, it may be time to talk to your doctor about cataract surgery. Cataract treatment surgery is a very safe and effective procedure that has been performed for many years.

In fact, more than 98% of people who have the surgery experience an improvement in their vision. So if you are feeling like your cataracts are impacting your life, talk to your doctor about treatment options and find out if surgery is right for you.

What Happens In Cataract Surgery?

If you feel that your vision is getting worse and that cataracts are to blame, you’ll likely want to know what happens during surgery to fix them.

First, you’ll be given an anesthetic to numb the area around your eye. Once you’re comfortably numb, your surgeon will make a tiny incision in your eye. Next, they will use a small instrument to break up the cloudy lens and suction it out.

After the clouded lens is removed, your surgeon will place a clear intraocular lens (IOL) in its place. In most cases, the IOL becomes permanent.

Cataract surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home the same day. The entire surgery usually takes less than 30 minutes. Most people report feeling little to no pain after the anesthetic wears off and vision improves within a few days or weeks.

In fact, during your follow-up appointment, your doctor will likely tell you that your vision is now better than it was before surgery. If you have cataracts, don’t wait to get them treated. With today’s technology, there’s no reason to live with poor vision. Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor to discuss your treatment options.

Are There Any Side Effects?

When you are considering surgery for cataract treatment, there are a few side effects that you may experience. These can include:

Blurry vision

This is usually the first symptom that people notice when they have a cataract. You may find that your vision is not as sharp as it used to be and that objects appear blurry. It happens because the cataract is clouding your lens.

Glare and halos around lights

If you have a cataract, you may also notice that there is a halo or glare around bright lights. This can make it difficult to drive at night or to be in well-lit areas. Also, it can be difficult to read if the light is not just right.

Double vision

In some cases, people with cataracts may experience double vision. This happens when the cataract is on both lenses and is severe. It can be corrected with surgery.

Poor night vision

It is believed that after cataract surgery, there are chances of experiencing poor night vision for some time. It is one of the side effects that you may experience as surgery can affect your pupils.

Increased sensitivity to light

When you have cataracts, you may become more sensitive to light. This is especially true if the cataract is in your dominant eye.

You may also experience some redness, swelling, or bruising around your eye after surgery. However, these side effects are usually temporary and will go away within a few days.

If you experience any pain or discomfort after your surgery, be sure to contact your doctor. They may prescribe you some medication to help relieve any pain or discomfort. It’s also important to avoid rubbing or touching your eye after surgery.

Can Cataracts Be Cleared Without Surgery?

Cataract treatment is usually only necessary when your vision is significantly impaired. In other cases, you and your eye doctor may decide to wait until the cataract matures before deciding on surgery. There are a few nonsurgical options that may help improve your vision in the meantime:

• Cataract glasses: These are specially designed glasses that can help improve your vision by bending the light that enters your eye in a different way.
• Cataract contact lenses: These are similar to cataract glasses, but they are worn directly on your eye.

These options may be considered but it is important to speak with your eye doctor about what is best for you. And the simple answer is cataracts be cleared only when they are impairing your vision to a significant degree.

And, only surgery can remove a cataract. Other options might be used when the cataract is not significantly impairing vision. But, when necessary, surgery is the only option to clear a cataract and improve vision.

Conclusion

To conclude, cataract treatment has come a long way in recent years. With new technology and treatments available, are now more options than ever to help improve your vision. If you think you may have cataracts, be sure to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. They will be able to determine if cataracts are the cause of your vision problems and recommend the best course of treatment.

Treating cataracts is important to maintain clear vision and live a normal life. With the right treatment, you can enjoy many more years of clear vision. You can also contact Eye Mantra for more information about cataract treatments.

At EyeMantra we have a team of experienced eye surgeons, who will be happy to answer your questions on cataract surgery, cataract surgery cost, and cataract lens cost for different cataract surgery types- Phacoemulsification, MICS & Femto Laser Cataract. Call us at +91-9711116605 or email at [email protected] for inquiries.