David F. Chang, MD, clinical professor of ophthalmology at University of California, San Francisco
Published Date: April 1, 2018
No one wants to have surgery—any surgery. But once you have had cataract surgery, you’ll probably wonder why you waited so long.
Recent developments: Cataract surgery now takes about 20 minutes for most people. You’ll go home soon after the procedure…serious, vision-threatening complications, such as infection, are extremely rare…and it’s successful in about 99% of cases, making it one of the most effective of all surgeries.
The benefits are undeniable. Within days, you’ll see better—with sharper vision, better nighttime eyesight and fewer bright-light “halos.” But that’s not all.
The procedure, which usually is done on one eye at a time, is performed while you’re awake and while your eye is numbed with eye-drop anesthesia, so it’s not even painful. Most health insurance plans pick up the tab.
To learn more about the latest advances in cataract surgery, Bottom Line Health spoke with David F. Chang, MD, a noted authority on cataract techniques.
IS IT YOUR TIME?
Most people are familiar with the telltale signs of cataracts—the normally clear lens within your eye becomes cloudy and/or discolored. Because the lens focuses incoming visual images and transmits them to the retina, these changes, though generally gradual (occurring over a period of years), can cause significant vision loss if untreated.
Important: The lens sits behind the iris and pupil, so you can’t self-diagnose cataracts by looking in a mirror. Only an eye doctor using a special microscope can actually see cataracts.
That’s why it’s important to see an eye doctor (in addition to having routine eye exams) if you’re experiencing vision problems, including blurred vision, difficulty seeing details (such as small print or road signs) and glare or poor night-driving vision.
Age is the main risk factor for cataracts. When you’re young, the proteins that form the lenses of your eyes are arranged in a way that makes the structures crystal-clear. Over time, these proteins eventually start to clump together and reduce the amount of light that passes through.
By your 60s and 70s, these changes will have gradually begun to occur. Most people, if they live long enough, will develop cataracts that are advanced enough for them to consider surgery.
Earlier-onset of cataracts has been associated with such risk factors as smoking, diabetes, prior retinal surgery, severe nearsightedness, excessive sun exposure and prolonged use of certain medications such as steroids.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Cataracts can affect one or both eyes, either simultaneously or at different times. In the past, doctors advised patients to delay surgery until a cataract was “ripe”—meaning that it was so advanced that the benefits justified the lengthy recovery and the potential for complications due to the large incision that was used at that time. Unfortunately, many people are still operating under this misconception.
Newer thinking: You don’t need to wait so long. If the cataract is impairing your daily activities, such as reading and/or driving, it makes sense to have cataract surgery sooner rather than later because of the procedure’s exceptionally high success rate.
Now the lens is broken up into many small pieces using ultrasonic vibrations within the eye, then suctioned out. The incisions are so small that stitches aren’t required—and cataracts can be safely removed at an earlier stage. The replacement artificial lens lasts a lifetime and is folded so that it can pass through the tiny (about one-eighth inch) incision.
The timing is important because cataracts can get so bad that they increase a person’s risk for falls and auto/pedestrian accidents, as well as contribute to depression.
These factors may have something to do with the recent research regarding cataract surgery that was published online in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology.
Key findings: This study of more than 74,000 women ages 65 and older found that those who had undergone cataract surgery had a 60% lower risk of dying over the 20-year study period than those who did not get treated.
BETTER VISION WITHOUT GLASSES
You’ll obviously see better once a cataract is removed. What some people don’t realize is that they might see better than they ever did.
The surgeon will remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear, artificial lens that comes in more than 50 different powers.
Suppose that you have always worn glasses to see well in the distance. When you have cataract surgery, a replacement lens can be chosen to correct your particular type/degree of optical error. For example, some lenses correct for astigmatism (blurred vision that is caused by incorrect corneal curvature). Certain artificial lenses function like bifocals and reduce how frequently people must rely on reading glasses.
In most cases, cataract surgery won’t completely eliminate the need for glasses. Most people will have excellent distance vision without glasses following cataract surgery. However, most will need reading glasses—but can perhaps use them less often and/or get by with a lower-power prescription.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?
Surgery is the only treatment for cataracts, and it is a permanent solution—the new lens will remain transparent forever. Unfortunately, there is no medication that can halt or reverse cataract formation. What can one do to prevent cataracts?
• Wear sunglasses outdoors. The UV radiation in sunlight damages eye proteins and can lead to cloudiness. A large study that reviewed data from more than a half million people found a strong association between cataracts and skin cancer—more evidence that UV exposure is a major risk factor.
What to do: Wear sunglasses with UV protection whenever you plan to spend prolonged periods of time outdoors. Virtually all sunglasses today are UV-protected.
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat to block UV radiation. It will reduce your risk for eyelid skin cancer as well as cataracts.
• Eat a nutritious diet. Many studies have found an association between a healthy diet and fewer cataracts—but that’s not the same as proof.
For example, several studies have suggested that particular nutrients—alone or in combination—can help prevent cataracts. The large Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) reported that people with cataracts who got the most lutein and zeaxanthin (antioxidants that are found in leafy greens and other fruits/vegetables) were 32% less likely to need cataract surgery.
Other research has looked at the effects of fish oil supplements (or regular meals including fatty fish)…vitamin C…vitamin E…and other nutrients.
It’s common sense to eat a nutritious diet. If you want to take one of the AREDS formulations, check with your doctor first if you are a current or former smoker. Certain versions of these supplements (with lutein and zeaxanthin) also contain beta-carotene, which has been linked to increased risk for lung cancer in current and former smokers.
https://bottomlineinc.com/health/cataracts/cataract-surgery-better-vision-and-perhaps-a-longer-life
