Latest news with #CataractAwarenessMonth
IOL News
18 hours ago
- Health
- IOL News
Cataracts explained: What they are and why you shouldn't ignore them
As we mark Cataract Awareness Month, it's a good time to bring our eye health back into focus because the truth is, cataracts are the world's leading cause of blindness. Image: Şeyhmus Kino/pexels You'd be forgiven for thinking cataracts are an 'old person's problem'. After all, we often associate them with grey hair and reading glasses. But more South Africans are being diagnosed with cataracts much earlier in life and it's affecting how they live, work and drive, especially at night. So, what's going on? And do you always need surgery to fix it? As we mark Cataract Awareness Month, it's a good time to bring our eye health back into focus because the truth is, cataracts are the world's leading cause of blindness, according to the World Health Organization, yet they're also one of the most treatable. What are cataracts, really? Simply put, cataracts happen when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy, almost like someone smeared Vaseline on your glasses. Wesley Language, an optometrist from Execuspecs, explains, 'It's like looking through a foggy window. Over time, it distorts your vision, dulls colours and makes tasks like reading or recognising faces difficult. While age is a major risk factor, cataracts don't always wait for your 60s. In fact, younger South Africans, some in their 30s and 40s, are experiencing early-onset cataracts due to factors like: Diabetes Smoking Excessive sun exposure Eye injuries Family history 'There's a misconception that eye problems only start later in life,' says Language. "But by the time you're struggling to see at night or feeling like your glasses never work quite right, the cataract may already be advanced.' While age is a major risk factor, cataracts don't always wait for your 60s. Image: Karolina Grabowska/pexels How cataracts disrupt daily life The early symptoms of cataracts can be subtle slightly blurry vision, sensitivity to light, or colours looking a bit faded. But as they progress, they can seriously impact your quality of life. You might: Struggle to drive at night due to glare from headlights Avoid reading because the text feels too fuzzy Feel disconnected in social settings because faces aren't clear Experience frustration at work, especially in front of screens. This kind of slow, creeping vision loss can be isolating, especially for younger people who aren't prepared for it. Do you always need surgery? The good news is that not every cataract needs surgery right away. If caught early, your optometrist may recommend regular monitoring, stronger prescription lenses and lifestyle changes to slow progression. But when cataracts begin to interfere with daily functioning, such as when you're constantly squinting at your computer or feeling unsafe driving at night, surgery is often the best option. And thankfully, it's one of the most common and successful surgeries in the world. The cloudy lens is simply replaced with a clear artificial one, often restoring vision almost immediately.'It's a life-changing procedure,' says Language. 'Patients often don't realise how much they've adapted to poor vision until they see clearly again.' Can you prevent cataracts? not every cataract needs surgery right away. If caught early, your optometrist may recommend regular monitoring, stronger prescription lenses and lifestyle changes to slow progression. Image: Antoni Shkraba Studio /pexels
Business Standard
20 hours ago
- Health
- Business Standard
From Blurry Vision to Blade-Free Precision: Cataract Care Has Transformed
PNN New Delhi [India], June 20: In a country where cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness, the greatest tragedy is not the condition itself, but the lack of awareness around its modern treatment options. Cataract surgery today has evolved far beyond conventional methods. With the advent of phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, the procedure is now bladeless, stitchless, and completed in under 20 minutes. What's more, the focus has shifted from just restoring sight to enhancing visual quality and lifestyle. A key part of this evolution is the role of Intraocular Lenses (IOLs). Once a basic replacement for the clouded natural lens, today's IOLs are customisable, high-performance, and lifestyle-driven. Whether it's monofocal lenses for distance vision, multifocal or trifocal IOLs for complete spectacle independence, or toric lenses for correcting astigmatism, the right IOL can transform how a patient sees the world post-surgery. At Centre for Sight, we lead this precision-driven transformation by offering the latest lens technologies, supported by deep diagnostics and tailored surgical planning. For us, the goal isn't just to remove the cataract, it's to help patients read again, drive confidently, and live fully. But none of this matters if people continue to fear surgery or believe it's only needed in "advanced stages." That mindset belongs to the past. Today, early, proactive treatment ensures better outcomes and protects independence in ageing. As we mark Cataract Awareness Month, the message is simple: innovation is here. What we need now is awareness.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Is cataract surgery really that bad? 4 biggest questions answered by an ophthalmologist, plus signs and symptoms not to ignore
While it's not as sunny an experience as retirement, grandkids or cruising, cataracts are, unfortunately, in the cards for many of us as we age. However, despite the anxiety-provoking nature of eye surgery, cataract surgery is nothing to be feared, according to an ophthalmologist. This Cataract Awareness Month, we decided to delve into the common medical procedure and answer all of your burning questions. What are the signs and symptoms of cataracts and what should patients know about the procedure? Scroll down to find out. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. This article was originally published in 2024. A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye (behind the iris and the pupil) that gradually leads to a decrease in vision. Cataracts can vary in size and are extremely common, impacting almost everyone as they age. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, cataracts may develop slowly over several years or form rapidly in a matter of months. If you get regular eye exams, your eye doctor may diagnose you with a cataract before you experience any vision loss. Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the cataract. Because cataracts can develop over several years, someone with an early-stage cataract may not experience any symptoms. However, as the severity and size of the cataract grow, symptoms may include: Blurry, foggy or double vision Decreased night vision Seeing halos around lights Seeing dull or muted colours, or having difficulty identifying certain colours Sensitivity to bright lights Consider cataracts the grey hairs of eye health, as they impact almost everyone as they age. "It's one of those things that if you live long enough, [you] will develop cataracts," says Dr. Ken Roberts, a consultant ophthalmologist at Horizon Health Network in New Brunswick. More than 3.5 million Canadians live with cataracts, which is more than double the next leading cause of vision loss (age-related macular degeneration). Because it's so common, cataract surgery has become the number one most-performed surgery in Canada. It's in the "same category as wisdom teeth," says Roberts. "We all get them. It's just that common." While sunglasses and antioxidant-rich foods may help slow the growth of cataracts, with every candle on your birthday cake, your risk of developing them increases. In Canada, more than 80 per cent of cases are diagnosed in populations aged 60 and over. In groups younger than 60, early-onset cataracts may be linked to diabetes, trauma, or inherited genetic conditions. Cataracts, in almost all cases, are completely treatable. Modern cataract surgery is a safe, routine procedure typically done in less than 30 minutes. While the setting may differ depending on local healthcare resources, the surgery is commonly done in an outpatient setting. During cataract surgery, your eye surgeon will remove the cloudy crystalline lens from the eye and replace it with a clear implant known as an intraocular lens. Despite its surgical nature, Roberts says most patients don't require needles or stitches. To simplify, "the procedure is done by ultrasound," he says. "We freeze the eye with a gel that works extremely well," so while you may feel subtle pressure or your doctor touching your face, "nothing is painful." While cataract treatment is not a "spa day," it's not anything "you have to bear," Roberts tells Yahoo Canada. Post-procedure, most patients comment that it "wasn't so bad." Because "we've done so many cataracts over the last 20-30 years," eye surgeons know what to expect and are "very good at predicting the cases that we're going to have trouble with." While some people may recall cataracts used to have to be "ripe" (i.e. dense) to be operated on, surgeons no longer have to wait until patients are legally blind to perform the procedure. "Generally, we look at pulling the trigger for cataract surgery once [patients] have complaints," Roberts says. "If they can't see well at night, are changing their glasses prescriptions every six months, or no longer meet the driving standards, "then we look at removing cataracts. We [no longer] have to wait until they're severe." The "nice thing" about cataract surgery is that it's "normally a one-and-done per eye," he says. The surgery "will last a lifetime," so pending complications, you're free to go and live your life.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Is cataract surgery really that bad? 4 biggest questions answered by an ophthalmologist, plus signs and symptoms not to ignore
While it's not as sunny an experience as retirement, grandkids or cruising, cataracts are, unfortunately, in the cards for many of us as we age. However, despite the anxiety-provoking nature of eye surgery, cataract surgery is nothing to be feared, according to an ophthalmologist. This Cataract Awareness Month, we decided to delve into the common medical procedure and answer all of your burning questions. What are the signs and symptoms of cataracts and what should patients know about the procedure? Scroll down to find out. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. This article was originally published in 2024. A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye (behind the iris and the pupil) that gradually leads to a decrease in vision. Cataracts can vary in size and are extremely common, impacting almost everyone as they age. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, cataracts may develop slowly over several years or form rapidly in a matter of months. If you get regular eye exams, your eye doctor may diagnose you with a cataract before you experience any vision loss. Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the cataract. Because cataracts can develop over several years, someone with an early-stage cataract may not experience any symptoms. However, as the severity and size of the cataract grow, symptoms may include: Blurry, foggy or double vision Decreased night vision Seeing halos around lights Seeing dull or muted colours, or having difficulty identifying certain colours Sensitivity to bright lights Consider cataracts the grey hairs of eye health, as they impact almost everyone as they age. "It's one of those things that if you live long enough, [you] will develop cataracts," says Dr. Ken Roberts, a consultant ophthalmologist at Horizon Health Network in New Brunswick. More than 3.5 million Canadians live with cataracts, which is more than double the next leading cause of vision loss (age-related macular degeneration). Because it's so common, cataract surgery has become the number one most-performed surgery in Canada. It's in the "same category as wisdom teeth," says Roberts. "We all get them. It's just that common." While sunglasses and antioxidant-rich foods may help slow the growth of cataracts, with every candle on your birthday cake, your risk of developing them increases. In Canada, more than 80 per cent of cases are diagnosed in populations aged 60 and over. In groups younger than 60, early-onset cataracts may be linked to diabetes, trauma, or inherited genetic conditions. Cataracts, in almost all cases, are completely treatable. Modern cataract surgery is a safe, routine procedure typically done in less than 30 minutes. While the setting may differ depending on local healthcare resources, the surgery is commonly done in an outpatient setting. During cataract surgery, your eye surgeon will remove the cloudy crystalline lens from the eye and replace it with a clear implant known as an intraocular lens. Despite its surgical nature, Roberts says most patients don't require needles or stitches. To simplify, "the procedure is done by ultrasound," he says. "We freeze the eye with a gel that works extremely well," so while you may feel subtle pressure or your doctor touching your face, "nothing is painful." While cataract treatment is not a "spa day," it's not anything "you have to bear," Roberts tells Yahoo Canada. Post-procedure, most patients comment that it "wasn't so bad." Because "we've done so many cataracts over the last 20-30 years," eye surgeons know what to expect and are "very good at predicting the cases that we're going to have trouble with." While some people may recall cataracts used to have to be "ripe" (i.e. dense) to be operated on, surgeons no longer have to wait until patients are legally blind to perform the procedure. "Generally, we look at pulling the trigger for cataract surgery once [patients] have complaints," Roberts says. "If they can't see well at night, are changing their glasses prescriptions every six months, or no longer meet the driving standards, "then we look at removing cataracts. We [no longer] have to wait until they're severe." The "nice thing" about cataract surgery is that it's "normally a one-and-done per eye," he says. The surgery "will last a lifetime," so pending complications, you're free to go and live your life.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Is cataract surgery really that bad? 4 biggest questions answered by an ophthalmologist, plus signs and symptoms not to ignore
While it's not as sunny an experience as retirement, grandkids or cruising, cataracts are, unfortunately, in the cards for many of us as we age. However, despite the anxiety-provoking nature of eye surgery, cataract surgery is nothing to be feared, according to an ophthalmologist. This Cataract Awareness Month, we decided to delve into the common medical procedure and answer all of your burning questions. What are the signs and symptoms of cataracts and what should patients know about the procedure? Scroll down to find out. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. This article was originally published in 2024. A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye (behind the iris and the pupil) that gradually leads to a decrease in vision. Cataracts can vary in size and are extremely common, impacting almost everyone as they age. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, cataracts may develop slowly over several years or form rapidly in a matter of months. If you get regular eye exams, your eye doctor may diagnose you with a cataract before you experience any vision loss. Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the cataract. Because cataracts can develop over several years, someone with an early-stage cataract may not experience any symptoms. However, as the severity and size of the cataract grow, symptoms may include: Blurry, foggy or double vision Decreased night vision Seeing halos around lights Seeing dull or muted colours, or having difficulty identifying certain colours Sensitivity to bright lights Consider cataracts the grey hairs of eye health, as they impact almost everyone as they age. "It's one of those things that if you live long enough, [you] will develop cataracts," says Dr. Ken Roberts, a consultant ophthalmologist at Horizon Health Network in New Brunswick. More than 3.5 million Canadians live with cataracts, which is more than double the next leading cause of vision loss (age-related macular degeneration). Because it's so common, cataract surgery has become the number one most-performed surgery in Canada. It's in the "same category as wisdom teeth," says Roberts. "We all get them. It's just that common." While sunglasses and antioxidant-rich foods may help slow the growth of cataracts, with every candle on your birthday cake, your risk of developing them increases. In Canada, more than 80 per cent of cases are diagnosed in populations aged 60 and over. In groups younger than 60, early-onset cataracts may be linked to diabetes, trauma, or inherited genetic conditions. Cataracts, in almost all cases, are completely treatable. Modern cataract surgery is a safe, routine procedure typically done in less than 30 minutes. While the setting may differ depending on local healthcare resources, the surgery is commonly done in an outpatient setting. During cataract surgery, your eye surgeon will remove the cloudy crystalline lens from the eye and replace it with a clear implant known as an intraocular lens. Despite its surgical nature, Roberts says most patients don't require needles or stitches. To simplify, "the procedure is done by ultrasound," he says. "We freeze the eye with a gel that works extremely well," so while you may feel subtle pressure or your doctor touching your face, "nothing is painful." While cataract treatment is not a "spa day," it's not anything "you have to bear," Roberts tells Yahoo Canada. Post-procedure, most patients comment that it "wasn't so bad." Because "we've done so many cataracts over the last 20-30 years," eye surgeons know what to expect and are "very good at predicting the cases that we're going to have trouble with." While some people may recall cataracts used to have to be "ripe" (i.e. dense) to be operated on, surgeons no longer have to wait until patients are legally blind to perform the procedure. "Generally, we look at pulling the trigger for cataract surgery once [patients] have complaints," Roberts says. "If they can't see well at night, are changing their glasses prescriptions every six months, or no longer meet the driving standards, "then we look at removing cataracts. We [no longer] have to wait until they're severe." The "nice thing" about cataract surgery is that it's "normally a one-and-done per eye," he says. The surgery "will last a lifetime," so pending complications, you're free to go and live your life.
