Cataract FAQs

At Atlanta Vision Institute, we believe knowledge is power. Our team of board-certified ophthalmologists and medical professionals are passionate about educating our patients about their eye health and equipping them with the information they need to make the right decisions in regard to their care.

Cataracts are a very common eye condition that most people deal with at some point in their lives. Here, our team answers frequently asked questions about cataracts, including treatment.

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. In a normal eye, the natural lens is clear and light passes through it to reach the retina. A clear and transparent lens is necessary for the retina to receive a sharp image. If the lens becomes cloudy with a cataract, vision becomes blurred.

What causes a cataract?

A cataract occurs when protein fibers in the lens clump together, causing the lens to become cloudy or opaque. Cataracts occur over time, as part of the natural aging process. However, other factors have been linked to the development of cataracts, including smoking, overexposure to the sun and certain health conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension). In addition, one rare form of cataracts, known as congenital cataracts, is seen in infants at birth.

What are common symptoms?

Common symptoms of cataracts include the following:

• Cloudy or blurred vision
• Poor night vision
• Glare or halos around lights
• Sensitivity to light
• Double vision
• Faded colors
• Frequent prescription changes

Do cataracts cause blindness?

Yes, if left untreated, cataracts can grow and eventually lead to blindness. The good news is that cataracts are treatable and clear vision can be restored.

How are cataracts treated?

Mild stages of cataracts can be treated with prescription eyewear. However, as cataracts progress, vision becomes increasingly impaired, interfering with everyday activities like reading and driving. At that point, cataracts must be removed through surgical intervention.

Cataract surgery is a very common and safe procedure. It involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to restore crisp and clear vision. There are a variety of IOLs designed to improve vision at different distances or correct other conditions in addition to cataracts (e.g., presbyopia and astigmatism). The entire procedure takes a few minutes to complete.

Atlanta Vision Institute has helped hundreds of cataract patients restore their vision and quality of life. To learn more about cataract surgery, please contact us today and book an appointment.