Cataracts

Dr. Zoran Aleksic performs cataract eye surgery in Cape Town, South Africa.

A cataract is the most common cause for diminished vision quality today and affects most people as they age. Patients might not realise they have a cataract until cloudy vision dramatically impairs their daily routine. Left untreated, a cataract may even lead to complete loss of vision. The good news is that a cataract can be treated easily and effectively with a safe procedure. Cataract surgery is the procedure of removing the lens of your eye and replacing it with an artificial lens.

Learn more about Cataracts and Cataract Surgery below.

WHAT IS A CATARACT?

The lens of the eye is made mostly of water and protein. The protein is arranged to allow light to pass through and focus on the retina. Sometimes some of this protein clumps together, and starts to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract...

The lens of the eye is made mostly of water and protein. The protein is arranged to allow light to pass through and focus on the retina. Sometimes some of this protein clumps together, and starts to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract. Over time, the cataract may grow larger and cloud more of the lens. Therefore, making it difficult to see.

Although researchers are learning more about cataracts, nobody actually knows what causes them. Scientists think there may be several causes which may include smoking, diabetes or age related causes. Scientists do know that a cataract will not spread from one eye to the other, although many people do develop cataracts in both eyes.

WHAT IS A CATARACT?

CATARACT SURGERY

This is a procedure of removing your lens from your eye. Usually the lens is then replaced with an artificial lens.

Normally, the lens of your eye is clear, but with cataract this causes your natural lens to become cloudy, which will then...

This procedure involves removing the lens from your eye. Usually the lens is then replaced with an artificial lens.

Normally, the lens of your eye is clear, but cataracts cause your natural lens to become cloudy, which will then affect your vision.

After having cataract surgery, the patient is not required to remain in hospital and can leave after surgery. Cataract surgery can be done either by using ultrasound energy or laser-assisted technology to remove the cloudy lens. This surgery is very common and is generally a safe procedure.

CATARACT SURGERY

CATARACT VISION

More than half of all the people age 65 and older have a cataract. In the early stages, stronger lighting may lessen the vision problems caused by cataracts.

At a certain point, however, surgery may be needed to improve vision.

Today, cataract surgery is safe and very effective.