Monthly Awareness: Cataracts

During January’s Cataract Awareness Month, the Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology and Eye M.D.s around the state want to remind people they don't have to live with cataracts.

An Eye M.D. is an ophthalmologist - a medical doctor who provides the full spectrum of eye and vision care. From eyeglasses to contact lenses, to medication and surgery, your Eye M.D. will help you keep your sight for life.

• Cataracts are very common. Approximately 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts.
• A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s clear lens. This prevents the passage of light needed for vision.
• Cataracts are a significant cause of blindness in some parts of the world; however, technological advances and the availability of new procedures in the United States mean that for most Americans, cataracts don't lead to vision loss.
• More than half of all Americans develop cataracts by age 80.

New advances and techniques have made cataract surgery one of the most successful and life-improving surgical procedures.

• Cataract surgery is the most frequently performed surgical procedure in the United States, with more than 1.6 million procedures performed each year.
• Cataract surgery is usually covered by medical insurance, including Medicare.
• Cataract surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. In this procedure, the Eye M.D. makes a tiny incision through which he or she removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a permanent artificial lens.
• Lasers are not currently used to remove cataracts. But they are sometimes used after cataract surgery to remove a film that can grow on the lens implant.

If you think you may have a cataract, you don't have to live with it. Talk to your Eye M.D. about your options.

• There are no medications or exercises that will prevent the formation or progression of cataracts or make a cataract disappear.
• Nutritional or vitamin supplements have been shown to be beneficial in populations with nutritional deficits, but due to the inconsistent results reported in clinical trials, recommendations cannot be made at this time.
• Although it is very safe and effective, cataract surgery is surgery and you need to carefully decide if it is right for you. If the cataract does not interfere with your life, you may decide surgery is not warranted.
• Talk to your Eye M.D. if cataracts are interfering with your lifestyle.

Patient Information Handout - English

Patient Information Handout - Spanish

Reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Ophthalmology