Can Cataracts Cause Eye Pain?

Cataracts are a common condition that mostly affects people past the age of 50. They have many different symptoms, ranging from the very subtle to blindness. Pain in isolation is not a generally recognized symptom of cataracts but it can cause sensitivity.The following looks at the symptoms that are usually associated with cataracts and the treatments that are highly successful in combating the condition.

Cataract Symptoms

• The most common cataract symptoms
• How cataract symptoms progress

The most common cataract symptoms

Cataracts usually don’t have any symptoms when they first begin to form. Because their progression is gradual—taking many years before they become an issue—when symptoms eventually begin to appear they might be virtually imperceptible. This is why it’s essential to undergo regular eye exams so that they can be diagnosed at the earliest stage. The first symptoms noticed tend to be:

• Colors appearing faded
• Seeing a halo (ring) around light sources
• Sensitivity to light and/or glare

How cataract symptoms progress

As the condition progresses, these symptoms will worsen. This can include issues, such as headaches and eye inflammation. Your vision will continue to worsen and, if they aren’t treated, your sight can be threatened. The World Health Organization states that cataract is one of the leading causes of vision impairment across the globe.Thankfully—in the western world, at least—there’s a definitive treatment for the condition in the form of cataract surgery.

The Types of Cataract Surgery

• Traditional cataract surgery vs. laser cataract surgery

Traditional cataract surgery vs. laser cataract surgery

Traditionally, cataract surgery is performed by making a manual incision in the eye, inserting a probe into the capsule that contains the lens, and using a process—known as Phacoemulsification—to break up the diseased lens. This is then suctioned out and replaced with an artificial lens. The incision is sealed with a self-sealing liquid.Laser cataract surgery is an advanced form of this. It involves a device being placed over the eye that maps out the whole of the organ—including the interior of the eye. A computer program defines where the incision should be made, along with the size and depth. The incision, capsule entry, and breakup of the diseased lens are carried out by laser. The advantages of this are many, including speed, accuracy, and allowing for the concurrent treatment of astigmatism, if deemed necessary. There is a further type of cataract surgery, known as YAG laser. This is a secondary procedure that’s performed if any clouding remains after the initial operation. This is not another cataract forming. Instead, it’s clumps of vision-impairing matter that might have been retained within the lens capsule. The procedure only takes a few minutes to carry out, with most people able to return to normal activities straight afterward. Virtually every type of cataract surgery can be carried out in the doctor’s office. The treatment doesn’t require a hospital visit or overnight stay. You’ll likely be sent home with an eye patch that you have to wear for a few days, and you’ll need to take it easy for a few weeks. This means no strenuous exercise, swimming, or hot tubs. Many people experience a dramatic improvement in vision within the first few days.

The WBEC is Center of Excellence for Cutting-Edge Cataract Surgery

At the West Boca Eye Center, cataract surgery is a true specialty. The clinic is headed by one of the best cataract surgeons in the world, Brent Bellotte MD. He has dedicated his life to the advancement of cataract treatments, meaning that his Boca Raton clinic can offer treatments that are often not available elsewhere. This, along with the incredible standards of expertise and customer service, is the reason many travel the length and breadth of the country to avail themselves of the services on offer. Find out more at https://westbocaeyecenter.com/why-choose-us/

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