Cataract is the clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. You can think of the eye as a camera. In a camera, there is a lens which focuses light onto the film. Similarly, in the eye there is a clear lens that focuses light onto the retina. In a camera if you were to smear the lens with grease and then take a picture, the picture would come out blurry. By the same token, if the normally crystal clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy, the “pictures” the eye sees will also be blurry.

What Causes Cataracts to Occur?

A cataract is a normal process of aging. The following conditions can cause a cataract to form quicker : diabetes, eye injury, smoking, or the long-term use of certain medications (most notably steroids). Frequent and extensive exposure to ultraviolet light has also been shown to hasten the development of cataracts.

What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

The most common symptom of cataracts is a painless, gradual blurring of the vision. Other symptoms include glare, double vision in one eye, poor night vision, fading or yellowing of colors, frequent eyeglass prescription changes, and need to use brighter light to read.

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Learn How Cataracts Affects Your Vision

The rate at which a cataract grows is highly variable, even between the two eyes of the same individual. The typical age related cataract usually grows slowly, whereas the cataract associated with diabetes, eye injury or medications may grow more quickly. It is impossible to predict how fast a cataract will grow in any given person.

Vision with Cataracts

Normal Vision

Vision with Cataracts

Normal Vision

How are Cataracts Detected?

In order to detect a cataract, a thorough medical examination by your ophthalmologist is recommended. This way, the ophthalmologist can tell if there are other causes for the decreased or blurred vision.

Cataracts Detection

If the cataract is causing only a mild blurring of your vision, a change in your glasses may be all that is needed to allow you to see better. If, however, the cataract is more advanced, correcting your vision fully may require cataract surgery.

Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS Discuss Cataract Surgery

We us the Functional Vision Analysis as part of a cataract evaluation. This test can assess the contrast sensitivity, night vision under both dim and glare situations. It determines the level of visual compromise under day and night time driving situations.

OPD III Topography

In our office, we use the innovative OPD III that is a remarkable laser wavefront device that uses the most advanced technologies available to help us better evaluate your unique vision needs. It gives us the ability to measure and diagnose your corneal curvature and astigmatism much more accurately. This information is very important in calculating which intraocular implant is the best fit in your eye.
OPD III Patient Brochure

Detecting Cataracts
Detecting Cataracts