Sage-Tips

Is it common to have cataracts in both eyes?

As the cataract continues to develop, the clouding becomes denser. A cataract scatters and blocks the light as it passes through the lens, preventing a sharply defined image from reaching your retina. As a result, your vision becomes blurred. Cataracts generally develop in both eyes, but not always at the same rate.

Can you be born with a cataract?

What Are Congenital Cataracts? A cataract is the clouding of the lens of an eye. Congenital means that it happens before birth or during a baby’s first year of life. A baby with congenital cataracts has clouding in one or both eyes.

Can congenital cataracts be cured?

The only treatment for congenital cataracts is cataract surgery. If your child has congenital cataracts that are significant enough to require treatment, seek the services of a cataract surgeon who specializes in congenital cataract surgery for children.

Can you wait too long to have cataracts removed?

If you wait too long, your cataracts can become “hyper-mature”, which makes them more difficult to remove, and can cause surgery complications. In general, the best outcomes for cataract surgery take place when surgery is performed soon after vision problems develop.

Is it OK to have cataract surgery on both eyes at the same time?

Although physically there is no reason why you cannot have cataracts in both eyes treated at the same time, it is generally not recommended. This is because it can take a number of weeks for the eyes to heal. During this time, your vision will still be compromised.

Can both cataracts be removed at the same time?

Performing Cataract Surgery One Eye at a Time Even when a patient has cataracts in both eyes, it’s common for surgeons to perform cataract surgery on one eye first. Second cataract surgery will be performed on the other eye not long afterward.

Can a teenager get cataracts?

It’s a common misconception that cataracts only affect the elderly. While it’s true that most cataracts occur because of aging, it’s not the only reason that cataracts can develop. Many people start developing cataracts as young as age 40. However, cataracts can occur at any age.

Can congenital cataracts be removed in adults?

Cataracts are a leading cause of decreased vision in older adults, but children may have congenital cataracts. With surgery, the cataract can be removed, a new lens implanted, and the person can usually return home the same day.

How bad is cataract surgery?

It’s A Safe, Low-Risk Surgery As far as surgeries go, cataract surgery is very low-risk. A small percentage of patients will experience complications. An even smaller percentage experience serious complications. Almost all risks from cataract surgery are avoidable!

How safe is cataract surgery?

This approach allows the first eye to recover and your vision in that eye to stabilize before surgery is performed on the fellow eye. That said, modern cataract surgery is very safe and effective, and the rate of cataract complications is very low.

What happens if you don’t wear glasses after cataract surgery?

And if the lens for that eye is removed from their eyeglasses, they may feel woozy, have problems with depth perception or even experience double vision. But if these patients don’t wear glasses while waiting for their second cataract surgery, they basically are functioning with just one eye (the eye that underwent cataract surgery).

Can cataract surgery be performed on both eyes at the same time?

Can Cataract Surgery Be Performed On Both Eyes At The Same Time? If you have cataracts in both eyes, surgery typically is performed on one eye, and then a few days or a few weeks later, it’s performed on the second eye.

Will my vision improve after cataract surgery?

In general, most people experience significant improvement in their vision following cataract surgery. Certain conditions, such as other eye diseases like glaucoma, that have already caused too much damage can prevent people from experiencing expected outcomes.