Cataract extraction / Artificial lens insertion

What is a cataract?

The lens of the eye is normally transparent. If any part of the lens becomes cloudy the lens is referred to as a cataract – a “cataract” is a “cloudy lens”.

Cataracts develop as an inevitable consequence of healthy aging but develop earlier after any oxidative stress to the lens – eye injury, prolonged inflammation, excessive radiation, smoking, metabolic diseases and many other diverse causes. By the age of 60 half of all adults will have some detectable cataract even if it doesn’t produce symptoms. By the age of 70 nearly everyone has some degree of cataract and most people have some symptoms.

Cataract formation affects only the lens of the eye and not any of the other important structures.

Since it always progresses with age it eventually needs to be surgically removed (lens extraction) and replaced with an artificial lens (Intra Ocular Lens). Both procedures performed together constitute a routine cataract operation If the eye is otherwise healthy cataract surgery will almost always restore good vision.

Intraocular lenses (IOL’s) come in different designs. Monofocal IOL’s usually produce high quality and high contrast images with a limited range of focus. After surgery the patient usually needs part time spectacle correction although some patients are spectacle free. Multifocal IOL’s produce lower quality and lower contrast images but with a larger depth of focus and a higher likelihood of spectacle free vision. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of IOL.  The best option for a particular individual depends on the optical condition and health of both eyes as well as the individuals lifestyle choices and can only be determined after thorough assessment by an ophthalmic surgeon.