Montes Eye


See Better. Be Better.



Cataracts



cataracts





Jorge A . Montes, MD, FACS



A cataract is the most common cause of reversible blindness worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, cataracts are responsible for 51% of the world's blindness. Although they can be a blinding condition, people have a broad spectrum of vision problems. As the global population lives longer, we can also expect to see more people seeing changes related to cataracts.


WHAT IS A CATARACT?

We are born with a clear lens that sits behind the colored part of the eye. The lens job is to focus light onto the back of the eye, and when done precisely, we see clearly.


As we age, the clear lens starts to harden and becomes less malleable, thereby losing the ability to focus our vision appropriately, especially at near. Difficulties with seeing at near due to the lens hardening is called presbyopia. Near-work activities become cumbersome without reading glasses, and one can remain in this stage as long as the lens remains clear.



What Is A Cataract?



Overview of cataracts in the US



SYMPTOMS

A cataract is a lens that has not only hardened but also become clouded or opaque. The light rays are no longer focused clearly onto the back of the eye producing blurry vision. The opaque lens also acts as a filter to the incoming light, which worsens vision. Glare, halos, and starbursts are the hallmark symptoms of cataracts, and they get worse when surrounded by bright lights, when in fluorescent lighting, or when out in the sun.


People can also experience:

• Double vision in one eye

• Frequent change in glasses

• Color vision changes




PREVENTION

Reduction in smoking and UV exposure can delay cataract formation. Other risk factors include diabetes and high body mass index.




TREATMENTS

Having cataracts alone is not an indication for surgery. Surgery is not for everyone and is reserved for those with a certain amount of vision loss. Additionally, if you are not bothered by your vision or glasses can produce acceptable vision, surgery is not recommended. In the meantime, glasses can help improve vision, although they may not resolve all symptoms. When symptoms become severe enough, and glasses no longer help, then surgery is warranted.




INTRAOCULAR LENS TYPES

During cataract surgery, we remove the natural lens of the eye (the cataract). We replace the natural lens with an artificial lens to help focus the incoming light on the eye's back. Without an artificial lens, the vision remains blurry.


There are three types of vision that people use most:

• Distance (20 feet away to infinite)

• Intermediate (2-4 feet in front of you)

• Near (13- 16 inches in front of your eyes)


Each intraocular lens option addresses each of these visions differently.



Monofocals Lenses

A monofocal lens will place your vision at one of the above three visions. This lens can also produce monovision - targeted for distance vision in one eye, and targeted near vision in the other.


If both eyes are targeted for distance vision, then readers or bifocals are needed.



Toric Lenses

A toric lens corrects for any corneal astigmatism that the patient may have.



Multifocal / Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF)/Trifocal Lenses

Multifocal lenses and EDOFs give patients more focal points within the eye, allowing for improved uncorrected vision at all distances. These lenses decrease dependency on glasses, yet in a small percentage of people, glasses are still necessary.



PanOptix



Symfony



POST OP CARE

Cataract surgery is successful in restoring vision and has been around for many decades. As technology improves, the wounds become smaller, and the energy used to perform surgery is less. These advances lead to shorter surgeries and faster recovery. Nonetheless, there is still a wound in the eye that has to heal, so following post-op restrictions is critical.


It would be best if you refrained from any activity that requires bending over, heavy lifting, pushing or pulling, or sweating. Also, staying away from dusty or smoke-filled environments is best for wound healing. Additionally, you want to stay away from any open water sources i.e., swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzi's, rivers, beaches, and lakes.


There will be many drops to use, and each has its purpose. Standard post-op regiments include an antibiotic, a steroid, and an NSAID. It's essential when dosing the drops that you allow at least 3-5 minutes in between each drop so that the medicines are most effective.



educational cataract videos



Cataract Surgery Testimonial



By: Jorge a montes, md, FACS



Cataract Surgery Walk-Through



By: Jorge a montes, md



I take you through a cataract surgery step-by-step.



Cataract Surgery Animation:



By: american academy of ophthalmology



This video shows a brief animation of cataract surgery.





DHR Health Eye Institute



4500 North 10th Street, Suite 100, McAllen, TX 78504
Phone: 956-362-2070
Fax: 956-362-2074