CATARACTS

A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye that can impair vision. The eye functions much like a camera. Light rays enter through the front of the eye, passing through the cornea, the pupil, and the aqueous humor -- transparent fluid in the front of the eye -- onto the lens. The lens then bends light rays to focus objects onto the retina in the back of the eye. From there, the retina, the optic nerve, and the brain process the images and form vision.

Cataracts occur when there is a buildup of protein in the lens that makes it cloudy. This prevents light from passing through a normally clear lens, causing some loss of vision. No one knows what causes the buildup of protein responsible for clouding the lens. The cataract is a lens that has become clouded.

What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

Cataracts are unpredictable and can cause visual impairment such as:

• Vision that is cloudy, blurry, foggy or filmy.

• Sudden nearsightedness.

• Changes in the way you see color, especially yellow and white.

• Problems driving at night because oncoming headlights can cause glare, haloing.

• Problems with glare.

• Double vision.

• Sudden temporary improvement in close-up vision.

More than half of all Americans age 60 and older have cataracts in their eyes, but even small children can have cataracts. Other factors that can increase a person's risk of developing cataracts include cigarette smoke, air pollution, diabetes, and heavy alcohol consumption.

How Are Cataracts Treated?

Cataract surgery is a safe and effective way to treat cataracts when your vision impairment is impacting your quality of life. It involves removing the clouded lens from your eye and replacing it with an artificial lens implant. The replacement lens sits in the same place as your natural lens and becomes part of your eye.

The ReSTOR® Intraocular Lens (IOL)

At Manrique Custom Vision we specialize in the ReSTOR Lens, which replaces the natural lens in the eye during cataract surgery. This lens is uniquely designed to improve vision at all distances, helping restore your ability to read, drive and enjoy life without glasses.  Standard lenses cannot provide you with that freedom and you are still dependent on correction after surgery.

ACRYSOF® IQ Toric Intraocular Lens (IOL)

For patients with cataracts and pre-existing cornea astigmatism, there is the ACRYSOF® IQ Toric aspheric IOL, which corrects for both conditions simultaneously by delivering precise astigmatic correction, predictable outcomes and quality distance vision without glasses for cataract patients with astigmatism. Reading glasses for up close will still be necessary after surgery.

Since cataract surgery involves replacing the lens in your eye, it is important that you know your cataract surgery options. This is your opportunity to take care of cataracts and corrective eyewear at the same time.

Dr. Manrique has performed thousands of cataracts procedures, helping patients gain a clear view to better vision. Call 210.354.2020 today to schedule your cataract evaluation!