Cataract Surgery

A cataract is a clouding that develops in the natural crystalline lens of the eye. The lens works much like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The lens also adjusts the eye’s focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away. The clouding can be varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light. Early in the development of age-related cataract the power of the lens may be increased, causing near-sightedness (myopia), and the gradual yellowing and opacification of the lens. Cataracts typically progress slowly to cause vision loss and are potentially blinding if untreated. The condition usually affects both the eyes, but almost always one eye is affected earlier than the other.Cataracts are usually due to the aging process but can also be caused by eye trauma, heredity, diabetes, and even some medications. Currently, cataracts are the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide.