Cataract FAQs

Cataract is a common eye disease, but many cataract patients do not know much about it. Why do they get cataracts? Is surgery necessary for cataracts? This article will answer your questions.

How do cataracts form?

The causes of cataracts are complex, mainly due to lens opacity. Aging is a common factor. As we age, lens proteins denature and aggregate, gradually becoming cloudy. In addition, genetic factors, long-term ultraviolet radiation, eye trauma, certain systemic diseases (such as diabetes), and long-term use of certain drugs (such as glucocorticoids) may all contribute to the occurrence of cataracts.

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

The initial symptoms may not be obvious. Some patients will feel that their vision is gradually declining and they see things blurry, as if they are looking through a layer of frosted glass. Others will experience double vision, changes in color perception, and see things in a yellowish and darker tint. Vision in strong light is worse than in weak light, and the glare of lights will be more obvious when driving at night.

Can elderly patients undergo surgery?

Generally speaking, the functions of various organs in elderly patients will decline to varying degrees, their metabolism will slow down, and their tissue repair ability will be relatively weak, but this does not mean that surgery cannot be performed. As long as the eye condition and overall condition allow, surgery is feasible, but it needs to be evaluated based on multiple factors.

1. Eye conditions: If the elderly patient only has simple cataracts and does not have other serious underlying eye diseases, such as severe glaucoma, retinal disease, etc., cataract surgery can be performed if the surgical requirements are met through a detailed preoperative examination.

2. Systemic diseases: Elderly patients often have systemic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc. If these diseases can be well controlled through medication and other treatments, blood sugar, blood pressure and other indicators are stable, and heart function and lung function can tolerate surgery, cataract surgery can also be performed under good perioperative management.

However, if the disease is not well controlled, the risk of surgery will increase significantly, and it is necessary to actively treat and control the underlying disease before evaluating whether surgery is possible.

3. Cognition and cooperation: Some elderly patients may have cognitive impairment or mental illness and cannot cooperate well during surgery, which will increase the difficulty and risk of surgery. At this time, it is necessary to consider whether to use appropriate anesthesia or other auxiliary measures to ensure the smooth progress of the operation, or to evaluate whether the operation is not suitable, based on the patient's specific situation.

In short, advanced age is not an absolute contraindication for cataract surgery. When deciding whether to perform cataract surgery on an elderly patient, the doctor will conduct a comprehensive and detailed examination and evaluation, fully communicate with the patient and family members, weigh the risks and benefits of the surgery, and develop a treatment plan suitable for the patient.

What should I pay attention to after cataract surgery?

Cao Xiangrong, director of Tianjin University Aier Eye Hospital, said that after surgery, you should pay attention to eye hygiene, avoid rubbing your eyes, and prevent dirty water from entering your eyes to avoid infection. Follow the doctor's instructions to apply eye drops on time, and do not increase or decrease the dosage or stop taking the medicine at will. Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy physical labor in the short term to prevent the eyes from being hit by external forces. In terms of diet, eat more light, vitamin-rich foods and less spicy and irritating foods. At the same time, you should have regular checkups so that the doctor can understand the eye condition in a timely manner.