Can Cataracts Come Back? (And Other FAQs)

In last month’s article, we examined the three types of age-related cataracts, how each type develops, and what you can do to prevent or slow the development of cataracts to preserve your vision for as long as possible.

According to the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes for Health, the number of people who have or have had cataracts in the US is expected to double in the 40 years between 2010 and 2050. By the middle of this century, more than 50 million Americans are expected to suffer or have suffered low vision thanks to cataracts.

As you age, your risk for cataracts increases considerably – your risk from ages 75-79 nearly doubles from your already increased risk between ages 65-69. It’s essential to educate yourself about this common eye condition and partner with a trusted eye care team who can help you recognize the signs of cataracts early and take action to save your vision.

This month, we’ll examine several common questions about cataracts and answer them, including one of the most common: Can cataracts come back?

Can Cataracts Come Back?

If you or someone you know has been through lens replacement surgery to correct a cataract, you may be wondering if your cataracts could return, causing you to require more surgery to restore your vision.

Fortunately, you can rest (mostly) easy – cataracts can’t come back after lens replacement. Cataracts are only a concern for our eyes’ natural lenses. These natural lenses, being made of proteins, can undergo a degradation process known as “denaturing,” which is what causes lenses to go cloudy, which we call a cataract. The artificial lens that is implanted in the eye during a lens replacement is made of silicone or acrylic and will remain crystal clear for the rest of your life.

There is a secondary condition known as posterior capsule opacification (PCO), which can occur after a lens replacement surgery and cause symptoms similar to cataracts. PCO is sometimes referred to as “secondary cataracts,” which isn’t entirely accurate – PCO is a separate condition that is reversible using a minimally invasive laser procedure.

Do Cataracts Cause Pain?

Cataracts are a pain, but they don’t actually hurt. That’s not to say that cataract sufferers don’t ever experience pain because of their cataracts. The blurriness and low vision caused by cataracts can lead patients to experience eye strain and headaches from trying to work through the cloudiness.

Of course, losing any vision makes you more susceptible to injuries and accidents caused by failing to see an obstacle or hazard.

Are All Cataracts Age-Related?

No, not all cataracts are age-related, though most cases are. There are a few different situations in which a younger person might develop cataracts:

Congenital cataracts are a condition present at birth that’s caused when the eye’s lenses don’t form correctly during development.
Secondary cataracts are caused by eye surgery, infection, or other eye conditions (like glaucoma) or eye-affecting conditions (such as diabetes).
Traumatic cataracts can occur if the eye is subjected to certain injuries or traumas that damage the lens and impact its clarity.

How Are Cataracts Diagnosed?

As opposed to many other eye conditions that require special tools and procedures to detect, most cataracts are detected during the most standard parts of an eye exam: direct observation of the eye and evaluation of the patient’s eyesight.

Optical Evaluation

The first thing an eye doctor will do to determine whether or not you have cataracts is to evaluate your vision. If you’ve been having regular annual eye exams (like you’re supposed to), your eye doctor will be able to pick up on minute changes in your vision that may indicate the beginning of cataract formation.

Even if this is your first visit to the eye doctor, complaints of blurry vision, loss of color vibrancy, or other low-vision symptoms may indicate a cataract just moving into more advanced stages.

Direct Observation

When they become fully developed, cataracts are easy to spot; the clouded-over pupil of a cataract sufferer’s eye is an unmistakable sign of the condition. In their early stages, though, cataracts aren’t as apparent.

Eye doctors use high-magnification lenses and bright lights to make a microscopic examination of the eye’s lens and look for signs of cloudiness. With the eye fully dilated, they look through the eye to evaluate the surface of the retina, as well, noting that blurriness in their view of the back of your eye may indicate cloudiness in the lens itself.

How Intensive Is Cataract Surgery?

If cataracts are making a negative impact on your vision, but you’re concerned about undergoing cataract surgery, worry no more. Cataract surgery is not only incredibly safe, it’s also a quick procedure that’s usually carried out on an outpatient basis.

During the procedure, an ophthalmologist will make a tiny incision in the surface of the eye, remove the natural lens, and insert the synthetic replacement. Recovery is quick, usually only around 4-6 weeks, and patients typically report improved vision after only a couple of days.

The most common major side effect from lens replacement is posterior capsule opacification (PCO), which can cause many of the same symptoms as cataracts but is reversible with a minor laser-based procedure.

Got More Questions About Cataracts? Let Eyesight Associates Help!

Are you worried about your eyesight? Want to know more about how to avoid or slow the progress of cataracts? With eight locations around the midstate and the Golden Isles, we’re always close at hand to help you maintain clear vision! Call 478-923-5872 to learn more or make an appointment.

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