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Cataract

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  • Date January 28, 2021

What Is a Cataract?

Though many people have heard of cataracts, not everyone knows exactly what they are. Contrary to popular belief, they are not a film growing over your eye. A cataract actually occurs when the natural lens in your eye becomes cloudy, making it harder for light to enter your eye. This can cause obscured or blurred vision, similar to looking out a foggy window.

If you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts, you’re not alone — they’re a natural part of the aging process, and they affect more than 20.5 million Americans over 40.1

Cataract Surgery- Linda Mayers

A cataract is a term used to describe a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil.
When symptoms begin to appear, you may be able to improve your vision.

Treatment stages:

  • Think about surgery when your cataracts have progressed enough to seriously impair your vision and affect your daily life.
  • New glasses, strong bifocals, magnification, appropriate lighting or other visual aids.
  • Cataract surgery is very successful in restoring vision

What Are Cataract Symptoms?

Cataracts often develop slowly. In fact, most people learn they have cataracts after a routine eye exam. This is usually followed by a visit to an ophthalmologist — an eye doctor who’s trained to perform eye surgery.

Regular visits to your eye care specialist are important for catching cataracts before they cause problematic changes in your vision. You can also watch out for cataract symptoms like:

  • Cloudy, blurry or dim vision2
  • Increasing difficulty with night vision2
  • Sensitivity to light and glare2
  • Seeing rings or halos around lights2
  • Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription2
  • Fading or yellowing of colors2
  • Double vision in a single eye2

Are You a Candidate for Cataract Surgery?

Unfortunately, cataracts aren’t preventable, but with more than 3 million cataract surgeries taking place in the U.S. every year, it’s one of the most commonly performed surgeries.

Imagine driving with more confidence. Or golfing without losing sight of the ball. From reading to playing tennis to playing bridge, you can experience clear
vision at near, intermediate and far distances with the help of multifocal lenses.  When you opt for cataract surgery with multifocal lenses, such as the AcrySof®
IQ ReSTOR® family of lenses, you’re opting for the opportunity for freedom from both cataracts and presbyopia, a condition that makes it difficult to focus on objects that are close to you as the lenses in your eyes lose flexibility with age.1

The AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL is an ideal solution for patients with both cataracts and astigmatism. Astigmatism is a common condition that can result in the blurring of your vision, whether looking near or far, while cataracts develop as you age and cloud your vision. This can affect how you perform and enjoy everyday activities such as writing, using a smartphone or driving. Astigmatism usually occurs when the cornea or lens is misshapen and, if you have astigmatism, chances are you already wear glasses or contact lenses to correct the problem.

The AcrySof® IQ Aspheric IOL was designed to significantly improve visual clarity and image quality.1  

References
  1. AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL (Model SN6AD1). Directions for Use.
  2. AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL Brochure. August 2012. RES1219SA. Independent third party research; data on file, December 2011.
All material and content was provided by Alcon.