What Are Cataracts

Are you seeking cataract surgery in Los Angeles? Our West Hills office is conveniently located close to the Encino, Sherman Oaks, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village communities. Are you in the early stages of developing cataracts? Is your vision becoming blurry and cloudy? If a cataract has impaired your vision it’s time to consider cataract surgery. The good news is that modern day no-stitch cataract surgery has arrived with state of the art premium lens implants also known as multi-focal lenses. A cataract is a “clouding” of the eye’s natural lens, which results in blurred or defocused vision. Cataracts are often described as looking through wax paper or cloudy cellophane. According to a recent article published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, more than 20 million adults in the U.S. have developed cataracts making it the number one cause of poor vision in the United States. In most cases cataract surgery is required where the natural lens is replaced with a man made lens often referred to as IOL or intraocular lens. This surgery is highly successful and has been drastically improved over the years.

What causes a cataract?

Cataracts are caused mainly by age, trauma, heredity, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Cataracts can also occur as a result of eye disease, after the use of certain medications, or as a result of medical conditions such as diabetes.

• Cigaratte smoking
• Getting Older - Age is a major cause of developing cataracts.
• Birth defect like abnormal conditions in the eyes of unborn babies
• Environmental factors such as disease, toxic chemicals, medications
• Accidents or Injuries
• Exposure to ultraviolet light

Fortunately, cataracts can be corrected with a painless, outpatient procedure. The cloudy lens (cataract) is emulsified with ultrasound, and the small particles are irrigated out of the eye through a tiny slit-like opening. A lens implant is then placed through the small opening where it unfolds once inside the eye. Because the incision is so small (3 millimeters or less), it is generally self-sealing so that no stitches are needed.