Age-related cataract (ARC) is the leading cause of blindness in the world, particularly in developing countries. In contrast, cataract surgery has become the most frequent surgical procedure in people aged 65 years or older in the Western world, causing a considerable financial burden to the health care system. The development of cataracts is mainly an age-related phenomenon, although socioeconomic and lifestyle factors appear to influence their development, e.g. smoking has been found to directly... more
Generally, cataract surgery is more prone to complications if the cataract is more advanced. The cataract becomes harder or denser as it matures, and more difficult to remove. However, the critical issue is whether the benefit of the surgery is worth the risk. The decision to proceed with cataract surgery should be based on the person’s visual needs. When the cataract is still mild, it is certainly easier and safer to remove. However, the benefit may be low because the vision is not significantly... more
A gene associated with the formation of age-related cataract, a leading cause of blindness, has been identified by scientists. The EphA2 gene encodes an enzyme that plays a role in the repair of damaged proteins in the eye. Expression of the EphA2 gene decreases with age, which means damaged proteins can clump together and cause the eye lens to become cloudy, resulting in obscured vision, according to the study in the July 31 issue of the journal PLoS Genetics . The international group of researchers,... more
Women who consume more lutein (and its cousin, zeaxanthin) have a lower risk of cataracts. Researchers tracked more than 35,000 women who were enrolled in the Women’s Health Study. Those who consumed the most lutein and zeaxanthin (they averaged 6,700 micrograms a day) had an 18 percent lower risk of cataracts over the next 10 years than those who consumed the least. The best source of lutein and zeaxanthin: green leafy vegetables. What to do: It’s worth eating more leafy greens like... more
Almost everyone who lives a long life will develop cataracts at some point. As more Americans live into their 70s and beyond, we all need to know a few cataract basics: risks and symptoms, tips that may delay onset, and how to decide when it is time for surgery, so good vision can be restored. August is Cataract Awareness Month, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology encourages Americans to know their risks, especially people who have diabetes, smoke, or have a family history of cataract. “Cataract... more
The eyes should be protected from UV radiation by wearing glasses with a special coating. Dark lenses alone are not sufficient, but the lenses must be coated to filter out UV light (specifically, UV-A and UV-B). Antioxidants also may help prevent cataracts by reducing free radicals that can damage lens proteins. A healthy diet rich in sources of antioxidants, including citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, carrots, green leafy vegetables, and/or vitamin supplements, may be beneficial. When taking certain... more
No treatment may be necessary for cataracts that cause no symptoms or that cause only minor visual changes. It is important for an ophthalmologist or optometrist to continue to monitor and assess the cataract during regular office visits. Increased strength in prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses may be diagnostic and beneficial. Cataract surgery-the only option for patients whose cataracts interfere with vision to the extent that their daily activities are affected-is the most frequently performed... more
Ophthalmologists and optometrists detect and monitor cataract growth and prescribe prescription lenses for visual deficits. Ophthalmologist perform cataract extraction. Cataract diagnosis begins with a complete eye exam. The ophthalmic assistant, technician, or nurse gathers information to determine the progression of the vision loss. It is unusual for cataracts to cause rapid vision loss, but sometimes patients believe the vision problem is acute because vision in the better eye has only recently... more
Recent studies have investigated the effect of nutrition on cataract formation. The results have been mixed, with some studies finding that there is a connection between nutrition and cataract formation and other studies finding none. Much interest has been focused on the use of antioxidant supplements as a protection against cataracts. Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, E, and beta-carotene, help the body neutralize oxygen-free radicals. Smoking and alcohol intake, however, have been implicated... more
The lens of the eye is normally transparent. A cataract is a condition in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque. This cloudiness can impair vision and may lead to eventual blindness. The human eye has several parts. The outer layer of the eyeball consists of a transparent dome-shaped cornea and an opaque, white sclera. The cornea and sclera help protect the eye. The next layer includes the iris, pupil, and ciliary body. The iris is the colored part of the eye and the pupil is the small,... more
Vision Correction and Lasik
David Schanzlin, M.D., Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at the University of California, San Diego and the Director of Keratorefractive Surgery at the Shiley Eye Center joins host Dr. David Granet to discuss the latest in vision correction utilizing refractive eye surgery. Highlighted in the program is the use of the Intralase laser and wavefront mapping to correct higher-order vision aberrations such as glare and poor night vision, conditions previously could not be sufficiently prevented or corrected by contacts, glasses, or conventional laser vision correction techniques. Series: Health Matters
