Category: Cataract surgery

Preliminary Research on Antioxidant Eye Drops for Cataracts

cataractsIn the United States, cataract surgery is widely available. Cataracts mostly affects seniors. Even though the surgery is common with little risk of side-effects, some patients want to hold off on the surgery or avoid it completely. Preliminary research on certain eye drops designed to address cataracts may offer hope to these patients.

Cataracts is a clouding of the lens of the eye. It is caused by oxidative damage from ultraviolet light (UV) exposure over time. Initial symptoms include blurred, clouded Continue reading “Preliminary Research on Antioxidant Eye Drops for Cataracts”

Cataract Surgery Might Not Make Wet Macular Degeneration Worse

cataract surgeryA study slated to appear in the peer-reviewed American Journal of Ophthalmology found that cataract surgery does not appear to worsen pre-existing wet AMD (age-related macular degeneration). However, cataracts surgery appears to slightly change the anatomy of the eye, which might make AMD patients more susceptible Continue reading “Cataract Surgery Might Not Make Wet Macular Degeneration Worse”

Cataracts Easy to Diagnose with New Vula Smartphone App

cataracts smartphone appPeople in developing countries can face huge hurdles getting cataracts correctly diagnosed and treated. A new smartphone app called “Vula” helps diagnose cataracts using a photograph. A routine and very short cataract surgery can then be scheduled. This app is helping overcome barriers to treating this very common source of vision impairment and blindness.

Cataracts are a film that form on the lens of the Continue reading “Cataracts Easy to Diagnose with New Vula Smartphone App”

What are the Symptoms and Treatments for Cataracts?

cataracts in the elderlyWith cataracts affecting nearly 22 million Americans, it’s not surprising that most of us know people who have had cataract surgery. We may even be contemplating cataract surgery for ourselves. Since cataracts are almost never a medical emergency, you should feel entirely comfortable taking the time to learn more about cataracts and explore all your options.

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is simply a spot on the lens of the eye that you cannot readily see through. These spots are made up of clumps of normal eye protein and generally form slowly over time. Although most cataracts are related to aging, it is also possible for cataracts Continue reading “What are the Symptoms and Treatments for Cataracts?”

Cataracts Surgery Can Involve Increased Risk for Patient With Diabetes

People who have diabetes often suffer from cataracts as well; in fact, they are more likely than the general population to develop cataracts.  Diabetics considering cataracts surgery need to consider their increased risk factors before they chose to undergo the procedure.

It is very important that patients’ blood sugar is well-controlled before surgery to increase their post-surgical healing ability.  It is especially important that patients’ inflammation levels are monitored and kept as low as possible during and after surgery.

According to Rupert Menapace, MD, of OSN Supersite, “We need atraumatic surgery to minimize the inflammatory response and avoid induction or exacerbation of diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. Even in uneventful cataract surgery, the risk of developing macular edema is high in diabetic patients, up to 10%.”  Macular edema is swelling of the macula, the small area of the retina responsible for central vision, of which the central 5% of the retina is most critical to vision.

Source: “Cataract surgery with comorbidities requires careful surgical management” at www.osnsupersite.com.

When Cataracts Surgery Doesn’t Work: Know the Risk Factors

Sometimes cataracts surgery is inevitable, but before you consider such a procedure you should be aware of certain risk factors that may decrease the effectiveness of surgery.

A study published in Ophthalmology describes how Afro-American patients are less likely to have success with cataracts removal surgery.

If you have had previous ocular surgeries you are also likely to experience complications.

Source: Medscape

Prevention is the best medicine.  Learn how to prevent cataracts at our website.