What is a Cataract?
The word cataract is used to describe a natural lens that has turned cloudy and does not allow light to pass through it as well as it did when it was transparent. If left untreated, cataracts can cause needless blindness. A cataract can only be removed by surgery.
What Are the Symptoms Of A Cataract?
- A gradual deterioration in vision
- Objects may appear yellow, hazy, blurred or distorted
- Vision at night or in low light conditions may be dramatically reduced
- Vision in bright light or in the sunshine may be difficult due to glare
- Halos may appear around bright lights at night
Pain-Free Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is one of the most common outpatient operations performed, usually with excellent results. Patients are awake during the surgery and are able to resume normal activities shortly afterwards.
Your cataract will be removed with a technique called phacoemulsification, or small incision cataract surgery. After applying a local anesthetic, a tiny incision is made in the front part of the eye. The cataract is then broken into microscopic particles using high-energy sound waves and gently suctioned from the eye. To compensate for the removal of the eye's natural lens, an intra-ocular lens (IOL) is implanted into the eye.
Traditional cataract surgery, which replaces the natural lens with a single-focal IOL, is covered OHIP. New multi-focal IOLs correct a full range of vision, allowing most patients to eliminate their dependence on eyeglasses. There is an extra charge for multi-focal IOLs.
If your vision is blurry or cloudy and you suspect you have a cataract, email or call Skouras Eye Centre today at 416-590-0300 for more information.
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