A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. This results in blurred vision that cannot be improved with glasses. This may impair ones daily activities, such as reading and driving a car.

There are many causes of cataract formation including trauma inflammations and some medications. The most common cause of cataracts however is the natural aging process. Although cataracts can occur at any age, including childhood, the incidence of cataracts increases with advancing age. Most individuals over the age of 65 will start to develop some degree of cataract formation.

As long as your vision allows you to perform your normal daily activities, nothing need be done about a cataract. You should see your doctor to obtain the best possible glasses correction of your vision. However, when your cataract progresses and the resulting blurred vision impairs your daily activities such as reading and driving, the only definitive treatment is cataract surgery.

A small incision (about 3 millimeters) is made in the side of the eye allow the use of an ultrasonic instrument to emulsify and aspirate the hard center of the cataract. Then an acrylic or silicone lens is folded and implanted into eye to restore natural vision. The incision then heals with a single suture or in some cases without a suture.

There are few restrictions after most cataract operations. It is usually recommended that you avoid dirty environments and strenuous physical activities for a couple of weeks. You may resume most activities including deskwork and driving within a few days.

Small incision cataract surgery is one of the most successful of all surgical procedures, with a success rate of over a 95% for improving vision. However any surgical procedure entails risk. Although the incidence of significant complications in cataract surgery is extremely small, there are remote risks of potentially serious complications. These should be thoroughly discussed with your doctor prior to surgery.