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A cataract is a cloudy area in the eye's lens that
can cause vision problems. The most common type
is related to aging. More than half of all Americans
age 65 and older have a cataract.
What are the symptoms?
• Cloudy or blurry vision.
• Problems with light, such as headlights
that seem too bright at night, glare from lamps
or the sun, or a halo or haze around lights.
• Colors that seem faded.
• Double or multiple vision (this symptom
goes away as the cataract grows).
• Frequent changes in your eyeglasses or contact
lenses.
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How is it treated?
A cataract needs to be removed only if it affects your
vision so much that it interferes with your daily activities.
Sometimes, a cataract should be removed even if it doesn't
bother you. For example, if it prevents examination or
treatment of another eye problem such as age-related macular
degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, a cataract should
be treated.
How to prevent?
1) Avoid Ultraviolet light (sunlight)
2) Reduce alcohol and smoking
3) Vitamin etc
Cataract Surgery
More than 90 percent of people who have cataract surgery
have better vision afterward. However, even with the best
results, your vision may not be as good as before the
cataract. lens so that it can be removed through a narrow
hollow tube. This is called phacoemulsification or phaco.
Currently, lasers cannot be used to remove a cataract.
Although scientists are working on ways to use lasers
in cataract surgery, these techniques are still being
studied.
What happens after surgery?
Most people who have cataract surgery can go home the
same day. Others may have some minor problems, such as
bleeding, and may need to stay in the hospital overnight
or for a few days.
It's normal to feel itching, sticky eyelids, and mild
discomfort for a while after cataract surgery. Some fluid
discharge is also common. In most cases, healing will
take about 6 weeks.
If you have discomfort, your eye care professional may
suggest a non-aspirin pain reliever every 4-6 hours (aspirin
can cause bleeding). After 1-2 days, even moderate discomfort
should disappear.
After surgery, Dr. Chen will schedule exams to check on
your progress next day. You may need to use eyedrops to
help healing or to prevent infection or inflammation.
For a few days after surgery, you may also take eyedrops
or pills to control the pressure inside your eye. Problems
after surgery are rare, but they can occur. These can
include infection, bleeding, higher pressure inside the
eye, inflammation (pain, redness, swelling), loss of eye-sight,
macula edema and detachment of the retina.
After the surgery, you can read and watch TV almost right
away, but your vision may be blurry. The healing eye needs
time to adjust so that it can focus properly with the
other eye-especially if the other eye has a cataract.
This healing period may take many weeks.
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