Cataract Myth

Wayne H. Parris, M.D.

 

Patients often ask, “How ripe must my cataract be before it can be removed?” The concept of letting a cataract become “ripe” is a myth in today’s modern cataract surgical technology.

 

The term “ripe” had its’ origin in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. It’s used when the human lens (typically clear when we are young) becomes very cloudy, dense, and at the stage of the patient being legally blind. At that time the only two ways to correct a patient’s vision AFTER cataract surgery were by thick “cataract “ glasses that had significant visual distortions in them or contact lenses that were difficult to insert and uncomfortable to wear for any significant duration. Consequently, patient’s cataracts were allowed to become ripe to avoid these problematic options and a long difficult recovery.

 

Today’s modern cataract surgical technology restores vision to its’ best potential. With today’s modern cataract surgery, cataracts are removed through a small (3.0mm) incision using phacoemulsification (which is not the so called laser) to pulverize and aspirate the cloudy lens. Phacoemulsification is difficult and complicated when cataracts are “ripe.”

 

After the cataract has been removed, a tiny intraocular lens implant (IOL) replaces the cloudy cataract to restore vision. No suture is usually required and the procedure is usually painless.

 

The goal of surgery, based upon an individuals’ ocular health, is for patients to be able to pass their driver test and to do some reading without being dependent on glasses. Patients generally are able to do many of their normal activities within a few days.

 

Fortunately, patients DO NOT have to wait until their cataracts are advanced and “ripe” when they are technically more difficult and risky to remove. Today’s cataract surgery not only greatly improves clearer vision…it improves one’s lifestyle.

 

You may have a cataract if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

  · the appearance of looking through wax paper,
  · loss of vibrant colors,

  · night-time halos around lights,

  · increased sensitivity to glare,

  · double vision,
  · appearance of a spot in vision, or

  · difficulty reading small print.

 

Cataracts can be removed from one or both eyes when activities of daily living such as reading, driving or hobbies are affected.

 

Wayne H. Parris, M.D. is a board-certified surgeon and founder of Parris-Castoro Eye & Laser Center. Dr. Parris has been specializing in cataract surgery since 1974 and offers deluxe lens implants such as ReSTOR, Crystalens, ReZoom, and AcrySof Toric which provide greater freedom from glasses over a traditional cataract replacement lens.

 

For a cataract evaluation, call 410-893-0480.