Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye that can affect your vision. Cataracts become very common as people age. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.
Causes of cataracts
Age is the most common cause of cataracts. Normal proteins in the lens start to break down around age 40. This is what makes the lens cloudy.
Other risk factors for the development of cataract include a family history of cataracts, medical conditions such as diabetes, history of eye injury or trauma, spending a lot of time in the sun, and the use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids.
Symptoms of cataracts
You may have cataract symptoms such as:
- Blurry vision
- Colors that seem faded
- Glare or haloes around headlights, lamps or sunlight
- Difficulty seeing well at night
- Double vision
- Frequent prescription changes in your glasses
Diagnosis of cataracts
Your ophthalmologist may use the following tests to check for cataracts:
- Visual acuity test and refraction. This assesses the clarity of your vision and the power of glasses correction needed to obtain your best vision. Each eye is tested separately for the ability to see letters of varying sizes.
- Slit-lamp exam. With this exam, your ophthalmologist will use a special microscope to examine the structures in the front of your eye, such as your cornea, iris and lens.
- Retinal exam. With your eyes dilated, the pupils become large, which allows your eye doctor to see the back of your eye more clearly and assess for any other causes of decreased vision.
Treatment of cataracts
Cataracts are not harmful to the eye, and are generally observed if they are mild and not causing any visual problems or symptoms. If your cataracts aren’t severe and you are younger than 65, you should have an eye exam every two years. If you’re 65 or older, you should have an eye exam every year.
Cataracts can only be removed with surgery. During cataract surgery, your eye surgeon will remove the eye’s natural lens (which is the cataract), and replace it with an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens implant. This will allow your vision to once again be clear.
During cataract surgery recovery, you may have to use eye drops. You should avoid getting soap or water directly in your eye, as well as rubbing or pressing on the eye. Your ophthalmologist will talk with you about how active you can be after surgery.
Some people who have had cataract surgery find that their vision becomes hazy again down the road. This can occur over the course of months to years. This is usually because the lens capsule (which is the structure that previously held the cataract in place, and now holds the intraocular lens implant) has become cloudy. Your ophthalmologist can use a laser to open the cloudy capsule and restore your vision. This is called a capsulotomy.
Why choose Ohio State for cataract treatment
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s experienced ophthalmologists are highly trained to perform thorough evaluations, use state-of-the-art equipment and offer cutting-edge technology. We provide patient-centered surgery that’s tailored to meet your specific needs.
We work in a collaborative and innovative environment to provide the best outcomes. Our expert patient educators will explain how to take care of your eyes. We treat every patient with the utmost respect and dignity.
Cataract surgery frequently asked questions
If you're scheduled for a surgical or other procedure at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, you'll meet with a nurse to collect information about your health, fitness, previous operations, allergies and more. This helps prepare the surgeon, the anesthesiologist and you by identifying any potential anesthetic, surgical or postoperative complications. If medically applicable, you may be referred to undergo other tests.
You will also receive pre- and postsurgery instructions to help ensure you are completely informed about what to expect.
Take any eye drops prescribed as directed by your physician; these drops will also be used after the surgery. If you run out of your drops, please check with your pharmacy for a refill.
Any questions about your drops should be directed to the main number at the top of this page to leave a message for your surgeon’s technician.
Expect to be notified by 1 p.m. the day before surgery to tell you when to arrive to your surgery location.
You're required to have a responsible adult (over 18) bring you to your procedure, be on-site or reachable during your surgery, listen to discharge instructions, drive you home and drive you back for your one-day postoperative appointment.
Using public transportation (taxi, bus, transportation service or medical transportation) still requires you to have an adult, other than the transportation driver, to be available to monitor your condition.
You may take a bath or shower the morning of your surgery. Wear casual, loose-fitting clothing.
Leave your valuables at home except for your insurance card, photo ID and payment (if required, as talked about in your preregistration call).
- Remove all jewelry, including your wedding ring and all body piercings.
- Bring a storage case for contact lenses or glasses, as they can't be worn during surgery.
- Bring a list of your medications, vitamins and supplements with doses and times taken.
Do not eat or chew anything after midnight the night before your surgery.
- No food, gum, mints, hard candy, cough drops or chewing tobacco.
- When brushing your teeth, avoid swallowing anything.
- Take morning medicines with a small sip of water, unless instructed otherwise.
- No alcohol or non-clear beverages like orange juice, milk or coffee with cream.
- Carefully follow your provider’s personalized instructions regarding drinking before your surgery.
This is for your safety, to reduce your risk of life-threatening pneumonia. Your surgery will be delayed or canceled if you don't follow these instructions.
Before surgery
Check in at the surgery registration area and the staff will ensure you're identified correctly for your procedure.
Your family members or support person will be able to receive text updates on the progression of surgery. It's important that your family members or support person stay in the facility during your procedure so we can find them if we need information or if a care team member needs to speak to him or her.
You'll be taken to the operating room from your private preparation area. The operating staff will ask you to confirm your identity and the procedure you're about to have.
Cataract surgery recovery
Once your surgery is complete, you'll leave wearing eye shields to protect your eyes. The shields should remain on until the following morning. Expect about four hours of discomfort; we recommend taking a nap during this time, if possible. You'll be scheduled to come back for a postoperative visit with your doctor the following morning.
If you have any concerns during the evening, refer to the After Visit Summary you received, and please contact your surgeon if additional questions arise. If you have any emergency needs, please go to the closest emergency department. A nurse from the Outpatient Surgery Center will call you the next business day to check on how you're feeling.
Our first concern is your recovery and any medical issues you may have. It's important to us that we provided you exceptional care. We encourage you to ask questions or share concerns when we call you.
Cataract Surgery Explained
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