Advances in Cataract Care for Seniors

We all know that cataracts in seniors are common. In fact, according to the National Eye Institute, more than half of Americans have had cataracts or cataract surgery by the time they reach 80. What you might need to be aware of is that breakthroughs in cataract care have brought a silver lining to this common condition.

You might be able to see like you did in your twenties again — without the help of glasses or contacts.

Before we get into the specifics, let’s cover the basics.

What Causes Cataracts in Seniors?

The bottom line is that cataracts are caused by normal aging. We start life with clear lenses but, around the age of 40, the proteins in the eye’s lens begin to break down and clump together. These clumps create a cloudy area on your lens, known as a cataract. Over time, the cataract grows and makes more of your lens cloudy.

You can lower your risk of cataracts or delay their onset by protecting your eyes from the sun, quitting smoking, and eating a healthy diet. But there is no proven way to prevent them. Nor is there a way to cure them on your own.

Breakthroughs in Cataract Care for Seniors

Cataracts account for about 50% of blindness worldwide, which is why regular eye checks and treatment for cataracts in seniors are so important. Cataract treatment previously consisted of simply removing the cataract, which works to take away the blurriness and glare caused by the condition. But the treatment did nothing to improve the lens of the eye beyond that.

“As long as there have been humans, there have been cataracts,” reported Vicente Diaz, MD, MBA, a Yale Medicine ophthalmologist. “For thousands of years, the goal was to get the cataract out without blinding the person. Literally, that was the goal.” Recent advances, however, do far more than just get rid of cataracts. Today’s patients have the option of choosing synthetic replacement lenses that also fix other vision problems. In other words, no more glasses is a real possibility for many.

Options in Cataract Care for Seniors

You can choose a lens that gives you the same vision you had before surgery (the most basic option) or you can opt for an intraocular replacement lens with a prescription. Options include:

• Monofocal lenses. These lenses allow you to pick one distance (up close, medium range, or distance) to see clearly without glasses. Most people choose to perfect their distance vision and continue to wear glasses for tasks like reading. 
• Monovision lenses. In this procedure, the lens of one eye is corrected for distance while the other eye is corrected for reading. The drawback is that depth perception can be affected. Before going forward with monovision lenses, ophthalmologists advise first trying monovision contact lenses to see how they work for you. 
• Multifocal lenses. These are similar to bifocals or trifocals in that they enable you to see both near and far objects closely. The drawback is that they can cause visual disturbances such as glare and halos. 
• Extended depth of focus. These lenses improve both distance and intermediate vision, but glasses will still likely be needed for reading and other up-close tasks.
• Toric lenses. These lenses can correct astigmatisms. 

Depending on your preference, you may not need glasses at all anymore. But even if you choose a more conservative approach (such as monofocal lenses), you can at least stop the endless juggling of glasses for different tasks such as driving and reading. 

What to Expect From Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is done on an outpatient basis, typically one eye at a time with a few weeks between procedures.Although you remain awake, your eye is numbed and you’ll be lightly sedated. While cataract surgery has traditionally been done by making a small incision in the eye, more and more cataract surgeries are being performed with a femtosecond laser, which uses high-energy, focused light beams. The biggest advantage of laser surgery is that it may result in more fine-tuned vision. After either type of procedure, you’ll go home with a shield over your eye to wear for one day. After that, you’ll wear the shield at night for one week. While it can take up to six weeks to fully recover, most patients notice improvement within a few days.

Cataract Care Options in New Jersey

U.S. News & World Report has compiled a list of the 692 eye specialists and surgeons in New Jersey. The list is based on patient ratings and on a five-star scale, with an average rating of 4.49 stars. As always, consider the number of reviews when evaluating the list. While more than 100 doctors had top ratings, some of those ratings were based on hundreds of reviews while others were based on less than 20. 

Senior Health at Monroe Village

Monroe Village is an all-inclusive Life Plan Community in New Jersey focused on a healthy lifestyle. With events and amenities offered through LivWell, our holistic wellness program, you can boost your health while being a part of an active community. Our heated indoor pool, fitness center, walking paths, and healthy onsite dining options make it easy to reach your goals while enjoying everyday life. Contact us today to learn more.