Clouding of lens of eye. Also see Eye and Eyes programs.Encyclopedia Entry for Cataract :Cataract - adult. The lens of the eye is normally clear. It acts like the lens on a camera, focusing light as it passes to the back of the eye. Until a person is around age 45, the shape of the lens is able to change. This allows the lens to focus on an object, whether it is close or far away. As a person ages, proteins in the lens begin to break down. As a result, the lens becomes cloudy. What the eye sees may appear blurry. This condition is known as a cataract. Factors that may speed cataract formation are: Diabetes Eye inflammation Eye injury Family history of cataracts Long-term use of corticosteroids (taken by mouth) or certain other medicines Radiation exposure Smoking Surgery for another eye problem Too much exposure to ultraviolet light (sunlight) In many cases, the cause of cataract is unknown. Cataract - close-up of the eye.Cataract Watch this video about: Cataract Cataracts develop slowly and painlessly. Vision in the affected eye slowly gets worse. Mild clouding of the lens often occurs after age 60. But it may not cause any vision problems. By age 75, most people have cataracts that affect their vision. Problems with seeing may include: Being sensitive to glare Cloudy, fuzzy, foggy, or filmy vision Difficulty seeing at night or in dim light Double vision Loss of color intensity Problems seeing shapes against a background or the difference between shades of colors Seeing halos around lights Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions Cataracts lead to decreased vision, even in daylight. Most people with cataracts have similar changes in both eyes, though one eye may be worse than the other. Often there are only mild vision changes.A standard eye exam and slit-lamp examination are used to diagnose cataracts. Other tests are rarely needed, except to rule out other causes of poor vision. Slit-lamp exam.For early cataract, the eye doctor (ophthalmologist) may recommend the following: Change in eyeglass prescription Better lighting Magnifying lenses Sunglasses As vision gets worse, you may need to make changes around the home to avoid falls and injuries. The only treatment for a cataract is surgery to remove it. If a cataract is not making it hard for you to see, surgery is usually not necessary. Cataracts usually do not harm the eye, so you can have surgery when you and your eye doctor decide it is right for you. Surgery is usually recommended when you can't do normal activities such as driving, reading, or looking at computer or video screens, even with glasses. Some people may have other eye problems, such as diabetic retinopathy , that can't be treated without first having cataract surgery. .Vision may not improve to 20/20 after cataract surgery if other eye diseases, such as macular degeneration , are present. The eye doctor can often determine this in advance.Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing permanent vision problems. Although rare, a cataract that goes on to an advanced stage (called a hypermature cataract) can begin to leak into other parts of the eye. This may cause a painful form of glaucoma and inflammation inside the eye.Call for an appointment with your eye care professional if you have: Decreased night vision Problems with glare Vision loss.The best prevention involves controlling diseases that increase the risk of a cataract. Avoiding exposure to things that promote cataract formation can also help. For example, if you smoke, now is the time to quit. Also, when outdoors, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.Lens opacity; Age-related cataract; Vision loss - cataract.Cataracts - what to ask your doctor.Eye Eye Slit-lamp exam Slit-lamp exam Cataract - close-up of the eye Cataract - close-up of the eye Cataract surgery - series Cataract surgery - series.American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Patterns Cataract and Anterior Segment Panel, Hoskins Center for Quality Eye Care. Cataract in the adult eye PPP - 2016. www.aao.org/preferred-practice-pattern/cataract-in-adult-eye-ppp-2016. October 2016. Accessed November 17, 2017. Tipperman R. Cataracts.Encyclopedia Entry for Cataract :Cataract removal. Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure. This means you likely do not have to stay overnight at a hospital. The surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist. This is a medical doctor who specializes in eye diseases and eye surgery. Adults are usually awake for the procedure. Numbing medicine (local anesthesia) is given using eyedrops or a shot. This blocks pain. You will also get medicine to help you relax. Children usually receive general anesthesia. This is medicine that puts them into a deep sleep so that they are unable to feel pain. The doctor uses a special microscope to view the eye. A small cut (incision) is made in the eye. The lens is removed in one of the following ways, depending on the type of cataract: Phacoemulsification: With this procedure, the doctor uses a tool that produces sound waves to break up the cataract into small pieces. The pieces are then suctioned out. This procedure uses a very small incision. Extracapsular extraction: The doctor uses a small tool to remove the cataract in mostly one piece. This procedure uses a larger incision. Laser surgery: The doctor guides a machine that uses laser energy to make the incisions and soften the cataract. The rest of the surgery is much like phacoemulsification. Using the laser instead of a knife (scalpel) may speed recovery and be more accurate. After the cataract is removed, a manmade lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL), is usually placed into the eye to restore the focusing power of the old lens (cataract). It helps improve your vision. The doctor may close the incision with very small stitches. Usually, a self-sealing (sutureless) method is used. If you have stitches, they may need to be removed later. The surgery lasts less than half an hour. Most times, just one eye is done. If you have cataracts in both eyes, your doctor may suggest waiting at least 1 to 2 weeks between each surgery.The normal lens of the eye is clear (transparent). As a cataract develops, the lens becomes cloudy. This blocks light from entering your eye. Without enough light, you cannot see as clearly. Cataracts are painless. They are most often seen in older adults. Sometimes, children are born with them. Cataract surgery is usually done if you cannot see well enough because of cataracts. Cataracts usually do not damage your eye, so you and your eye doctor can decide when surgery is right for you.In rare cases, the entire lens cannot be removed. If this happens, a procedure to remove all of the lens fragments will be done at a later time. Afterward, vision can still be improved. Very rare complications can include infection and bleeding. This can lead to permanent vision problems.Before surgery, you will have a complete eye exam and eye tests by the ophthalmologist. The doctor will use ultrasound or a laser scanning device to measure your eye. These tests help determine the best IOL for you. Usually, the doctor will try to choose an IOL that can allow you to see without glasses or contact lenses after surgery. Be sure you understand what your vision will be like after the IOL is implanted. Also, be sure to ask questions so that you will know what to expect of the surgery. Your doctor may prescribe eyedrops before the surgery. Follow instructions exactly on how to use the drops.Before you go home, you may receive the following: A patch to wear over your eye until the follow-up exam Eyedrops to prevent infection, treat inflammation, and help with healing You will need to have someone drive you home after surgery. You will usually have a follow-up exam with your doctor the next day. If you had stitches, you will need to make an appointment to have them removed. Tips for recovering after cataract surgery: Wear dark sunglasses outside after you remove the patch. Wash your hands well before and after using eyedrops and touching your eye. Try not to get soap and water in your eye when you are bathing or showering for the first few days. Light activities are best as you recover. Check with your doctor before doing any strenuous activity, resuming sexual activity, or driving. Recovery takes about 2 weeks. If you need new glasses or contact lenses, you can usually have them fitted at that time. Keep your follow-up visit with your doctor.Most people do well and recover quickly after cataract surgery. If a person has other eye problems, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration , the surgery may be more difficult or the outcome may not be as good.Cataract extraction; Cataract surgery.Bathroom safety for adults Cataracts - what to ask your doctor Preventing falls Preventing falls - what to ask your doctor.Eye Eye Slit-lamp exam Slit-lamp exam Cataract - close-up of the eye Cataract - close-up of the eye Cataract Cataract Cataract surgery - series Cataract surgery - series.American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Patterns Cataract and Anterior Segment Panel, Hoskins Center for Quality Eye Care. Cataract in the adult eye PPP - 2016. www.aao.org/preferred-practice-pattern/cataract-in-adult-eye-ppp-2016. Updated October 2016. Accessed November 17, 2017. Bowling B. Lens.Encyclopedia Entry for Cataract :Cataracts - what to ask your doctor. What is a cataract? How will cataract surgery help my vision? If I have cataracts in both eyes, can I have surgery on both eyes at the same time? How long after surgery before I notice my vision is better? Will I still need glasses after surgery? For distance? For reading? How do I get ready for surgery? When do I need to stop eating and drinking before surgery? Should I have a checkup with my regular provider before surgery? Do I need to stop taking or change any of my medicines? What else do I need to bring with me on the day of surgery? What happens during cataract surgery? How long will the surgery take? What type of anesthesia will I have? Will I feel any pain during the surgery? How do the doctors make sure I won't move during cataract surgery? Is the cataract removed with a laser? Will I need a lens implant? Are there different types of lens implants? What are the risks of cataract surgery? What happens after cataract surgery? Will I have to spend the night in the hospital? How long will I need to spend at the surgical center? Will I have to wear an eye patch? Will I need to take eye drops? Can I shower or bathe at home? What activities can I do while I recover? When will I be able to drive? When can I be sexually active? Do I need to see the doctor for a follow-up visit? If so, when?.What to ask your doctor about cataracts; Lens implants - what to ask your doctor.Cataract Cataract.Crouch ER, Crouch ER, Grant TR. Ophthmalogy.