Cataracts

What is a cataract? A cataract is an opacity of the lens of the eye. With age, the proteins in the lens deteriorate and the lens loses transparency. Although age is one of the main causes of cataracts, there are other causes such as eye trauma, genetic inheritance or treatment with corticosteroids, among others.

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

The symptoms of cataracts vary greatly from person to person, but we can identify a series of common symptoms:

  • Increased sensitivity to light: people with cataracts are more sensitive to light, to the point where it becomes bothersome, especially when driving at night.
  • Improved near vision: in some cases, patients with cataracts report a noticeable improvement in their near vision. This occurs during the early stages of cataract formation when the eye becomes more nearsighted, temporarily enhancing close-up vision.
  • Blurred vision: this is one of the most common symptoms of cataracts. Patients experience a haze that obstructs clear vision, interfering with daily activities like watching TV or driving. At this stage, it is essential to consult a specialist, as neglecting treatment can lead to further vision loss as the cataract progresses.

Types of cataracts

The most frequent cataract in our field is the senile cataract caused by the ageing and deterioration of the lens proteins over time, but there are also other causes for this disease: metabolic, traumatic, inflammatory, congenital, etc.

Some diseases:

Treatment

A regular eye examination is all it takes to find cataracts and the only definitive solution to this problem is surgery. An early detection and a timely operation, without letting the cataract develop excessively, allows us to perform the surgery in optimal conditions and to minimise risks.

At present, the most appropriate technique is phacoemulsification, which consists of the dissolution of the centre lens by means of ultrasonic energy in order to remove it via suction. The lens will be replaced by the intraocular lens. This technique allows us to approach most of the cataracts by making small incisions in the periphery of the cornea.

Operation

Phacoemulsification is a non-invasive surgery that is usually done locally in approximately 15 or 20 minutes and allows a rapid recovery.

During the immediate post-operative period, the patient may notice stinging or mild discomfort, which, however, does not prevent rest or the use of analgesics. 

If you want to know more about cataracts, you can watch the following video.

Quick Search
Leave us your details
We will contact you
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Checkboxes
Cláusula informativa

Información básica sobre protección de datos:
Responsable: INSTITUTO OFTALMOLÓGICO FERNÁNDEZ-VEGA, S.L. (IOFV).
Finalidad: Gestionar su solicitud de contacto y, en su caso, la concertación de cita.
Legitimación: Consentimiento del interesado.
Destinatarios: No se cederán datos a terceros, salvo obligación legal.
Derechos: Puede acceder, rectificar y suprimir sus datos, así como ejercer otros derechos, tal y como se explica en la información adicional. Información adicional: Puede consultar la información detallada sobre protección de datos en nuestra Política de Privacidad.
Our Pillars
We will call you
Leave us your phone number and we will call you to make an appointment.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Checkboxes
Checkboxes (copy)