Q: What are the symptoms of a cataract? A: Painless blurring of vision, glare or light sensitivity, poor night vision and/or difficulty driving at night, double vision in one eye, needing brighter light to read, fading or yellowing of colors.

Q: How quickly does a cataract develop? A: Most age-related cataracts progress gradually over a period of years. Non-age-related cataracts, especially in younger people and people with diabetes, may progress rapidly over a short time. Cataract development varies among individuals, and may even be different between the two eyes. Protection from excessive sunlight may help slow the progression of cataracts (UV-protective sunglasses or regular eyeglasses).

Q: How are cataracts diagnosed? A: Cataracts are typically detected through a medical eye examination. The doctor can see the abnormal lens using a hand-held viewing instrument (ophthalmoscope). The usual test for visual acuity, the letter eye chart, may not, however, reflect the true nature of visual loss, says the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Other tests-which measure glare sensitivity, contrast sensitivity, night vision, color vision, and side or central vision-help nail down the diagnosis. Because most cataracts associated with aging develop slowly, many patients may not notice their visual loss until it has become severe. Some cataracts remain small and never need treatment, others grow more quickly and progressively larger. Only when a cataract seriously interferes with normal activities is it time to consider surgery, doctors say. People who depend on their eyes for work, play and other activities may want their cataracts removed earlier than those whose needs are less demanding.

Q: When is the best time to treat cataracts? A: Many people believe cataracts have to be "ripe" before they can be removed. This is no longer true. Today, cataract surgery is a routine procedure that can be performed as soon as your vision interferes with the quality of your life.

Q: When should cataract surgery be performed? A: When cataracts cause enough vision loss to interfere with your daily activities: Performing your job, driving safely, reading and watching TV in comfort, taking medication. You and our ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) should decide together when surgery is appropriate.

Q: What happens if cataracts go untreated? A: Over time, the clouded areas of the lens can become larger and more dense, causing your sight to become worse. This could take anywhere from a few months to many years. Eventually, your entire lens can cloud over and cause blindness.

Q: Who performs cataract surgery? A: Only ophthalmologists who have had special training in eye surgery can perform cataract surgery.

Q: How is cataract surgery performed? A: A small incision is made close to the edge of the cornea. A tiny, high-frequency ultrasound instrument is inserted that breaks up the center of the lens. The broken-up lens material is removed through the incision, and a new lens implant is put into the same position.

Q: Is the procedure painful? A: Topical anesthetic drops are used to numb your eyes. Patients are generally very comfortable throughout the surgical procedure. You will receive intravenous sedation and an anesthesiologist will monitor your comfort throughout the procedure.

Q: How long will I be in the hospital? A: Patients commonly spend only a few hours at Shoreline Vision Surgery Center, and are allowed to go home the very same day.

Q: How successful is cataract surgery? A: Cataract surgery has an overall success rate of 98% or greater. Continuous innovations in techniques and instruments have made the procedure safer than ever.

Q: What can I expect from cataract surgery? A: Most cataract surgical procedures are performed without complications and result in immediate improvement in vision. You will instill eye drops for several weeks following surgery to reduce the possibility of infection and/or inflammation in the eye. You may need an eyeglass prescription to obtain your clearest vision following surgery.

Q: How long before I can see after surgery? A: Every patient and every eye is different, but patietns commonly see well enough to drive the day after surgery. Ask your doctor how quickly he or she expects you to recover.

Q: How do I know which lens implant is right for me? A: No single lens works best for everyone, and only your ophthalmolgist can determine the most appopriate option for you. Overall, patients who chose the multifocal over the monofocal intraocular lens have expressed greater satifsfaction with the increased quality of living. Passengers could become drivers again, and golfers coud keep their eye on the ball while enjoying the surrounding scenery.

Q: What happens after the IOL procedure A: Within a few days of the operation, most people are back at work. In several office visits during the first six to eight weeks after surgery, the doctor will check for infections or other complications and fit the patient for reading glasses. Vision is significantly improved in 95 to 98 percent of cases. However, results of the operation aren't always worry free. After the IOL implantation, a clouding of the lens capsule, known as a "secondary cataract," occurs in roughly 40 percent of cases. To restore vision, a pulsed yttrium, aluminum, garnet (YAG) laser is used to produce a hole non-thermally, by "optical breakdown" in the capsule to allow the normal passage of light rays back to the retina. This painless procedure takes a few minutes; improvement usually is immediate. Other problems that may occur in a small percentage of patients include swelling of the cornea, glaucoma, and swelling of the retina, which distorts vision. At a time when more older Americans than ever before are looking forward to years of active life ahead of them, IOLs clearly offer hope and a better life.

Q: Can cataracts come back? A: Once a cataract has been removed it cannot return. However, over time, patients may complain that their vision has once again become cloudy. This condition is known as secondary cataract. It can be easily and rapidly treated by a simple laser procedure performed in the office.

Q: Will I need glasses after surgery? A: It depends on what type of intraocular lens you elect to have implanted. Most patients do not need glasses or contacts for distance tasks following cataract surgery with a traditional monofocal IOL, but still rely on reading glasses for near tasks. However, in clinical trials, 4 out of 5 ReStor IOL patients reported never wearing glasses for distance, intermediate or near tasks after their surgery.

Q: What kind of financing options are there for cataract surgery? A: A cataract surgery is covered by your insurance company. There are higher grades of replacement lenses that would allow you an even clearer vision. Because of the advances in lens replacement, there is an added cost; which is not covered by insurance. However, this extra cost can be financed. We recommend MedDirect and can give you more information at your appointment.