Cataract Information – Symptoms, Surgery, and More – Minneapolis and Surrounding Areas
Cataracts, a common eye problem often associated with aging, can make it more difficult to see at night, perceive objects at a distance, and even drive a car. Northwest Eye provides advanced solutions for cataracts, with treatment options including cataract surgery, for patients in Maple Grove, Wayzata, Plymouth, Robbinsdale, Minnetonka, Golden Valley, and surrounding areas. (We also frequently serve patients from all over the globe.) We welcome patients looking into cataract treatment options to contact Northwest Eye today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced ophthalmologists.
What are Cataracts?
A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area on the lens of the eye. This opacity, a relatively common effect of the aging process, is caused by proteins that collect on the lens as a person ages. There are three types of cataracts, each of which occurs on a different area of the lens:
Nuclear cataracts - occur in the center of the lens. Symptoms include nearsightedness, glare, visual distortion, dimming of the vision, and a temporary improvement in one's reading vision.
Cortical cataracts - occur as wedge-shaped spokes extending from the outside of the lens to the center. Symptoms include glare, loss of contrast, and impaired near and distant vision. Cortical cataracts are often associated with diabetes.
Subcapsular cataracts - occur at the back of the lens. Symptoms include glare and blur. Subcapsular cataracts are often associated with diabetes, high myopia, retinitis pigmentosa, and steroid use.
Cataract Surgery and Other Treatment Options
Treatment for cataracts depends on the type and severity of cataract. If the vision is only a little blurry, no treatment may be necessary at all. Alternatively, if the vision is moderately diminished, a change in a patient's eye glasses prescription may effectively improve the vision for a while. If a patient's cataracts are causing significant visual problems, cataract surgery may be necessary. Northwest Eye provides advanced cataract surgery for patients in Maple Grove, Wayzata, Plymouth, Robbinsdale and surrounding communities throughout Minnesota.
Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery involves the surgical removal of the eye's natural lens through a tiny incision in the cornea. The surgeon may remove the lens in one piece, or he may fragment it into several pieces before removal. After he removes the lens, he usually replaces it with a state-of-the-art artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). Cataract surgery, an outpatient procedure, is performed while the patient is under local anesthesia, which completely numbs the eyes and promotes absolute comfort throughout the procedure. Although prescription eyewear may be necessary after the procedure, particularly if a patient has macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other eye conditions, cataract surgery is usually highly effective in relieving the symptoms of cataracts for the long-term.
Cataract Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the thickness and type of the cataract. In general, cataracts can cause blurred or dimmed vision (particularly at night), sensitivity to light and glare, visual distortions or "ghost images", increased nearsightedness, and difficulty reading or driving.
Contact Northwest Eye
If you are experiencing the symptoms of cataracts and would like to learn more about your treatment options, contact Northwest Eye to schedule a consultation. We provide outstanding cataract treatment, including cataract surgery, for patients in Maple Grove, Wayzata, Plymouth, Robbinsdale, Minnetonka, Elk River, Minneapolis, and surrounding areas. We also frequently treat patients from all over the globe.