MR ALEX BANEKE - OPHTHALMIC SURGEON - GLAUCOMA & CATARACT
A Guide for Patients
Understanding Cataracts
Cataracts are a common eye condition that can make your vision cloudy and blurry, much like looking through a foggy window. As we age, the proteins in our eye’s natural lens can start to change, leading to the formation of cataracts. If you’ve noticed your vision becoming less clear, particularly in low light or when driving at night, it might be due to cataracts. The good news is that cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure that can restore clear vision.
What Exactly is a Cataract?
A cataract happens when the normally clear lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. The word "cataract" actually comes from the Latin word for waterfall, "cataracta," because the cloudiness can resemble the appearance of water cascading down. Cataracts typically develop slowly over time, so you might not notice them at first. As they progress, you may find it harder to see clearly, especially in low light or when facing bright lights, such as headlights at night. Colours might appear duller, and you might struggle to distinguish contrasts as well as you used to.
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Most cataracts are simply a part of getting older, and they’re not usually linked to other diseases. However, certain factors can cause cataracts to develop earlier in life, such as diabetes, eye injuries, or the use of steroid eye drops.
How is Cataract Surgery Performed?
Cataract surgery is a procedure that involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens.
The most common technique used today is called “phacoemulsification.” During the surgery, tiny incisions are made in the eye, and a small probe is used to break up the cloudy lens into smaller pieces.
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Once the cloudy lens is removed, it’s replaced with a clear plastic lens that is carefully chosen to focus light correctly onto your retina, restoring clear vision.
