A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye. Cataracts are the leading cause of treatable blindness in all areas of the world, especially in adults 55 and older. Contrary to popular belief, a cataract is not a "film" over the eye. Rather it is a gradual thickening of the lens that causes the lens to become so clouded that light is either distorted or cannot reach the back of the eye (the retina) for transmission to the brain. When left untreated, cataracts will eventually cause blindness in most cases.

As the eye ages, cataracts can often develop. Age–related cataracts develop very slowly and painlessly. In fact, we may not even realize that our vision is changing until we find ourselves going to the eye doctor seeking a change in our eyeglass or contact lens prescription. It is often during one of these routine trips that the doctor will perform an eye examination and ask if we are experiencing any of the symptoms, blurry or dim vision, colors appearing faded, poor night vision, halos appearing around lights, and sensitivity to bright lights can all be symptoms of a cataract.

However, an eye injury, certain diseases, and even some medications can causes cataract as well. Trauma to the eye can also cause cataracts and is the most common cause of cataracts in people under 40.

Systemic diseases can also cause cataracts, including diabetes and hypothyroidism. Certain medications, such as chronic use of corticosteroids, can contribute to cataract formation. Several studies have linked the development of cataracts to alcohol consumption and exposure to cigarette smoke as well.

If you are like most people, you were probably first diagnosed with a cataract during a routine eye exam. The next step involves visiting our ophthalmologist, who will work with you to determine if and when you will need surgery.

Our ophthalmologist will perform a few simple tests to determine the severity of your cataract and the type and power of implant you'll need. If the doctor determines you have cataracts in both eyes, he may recommend having surgery on the eye with the most advanced symptoms first.

Today, our ophthalmologists can fit you with an intraocular lens that best matches your visual needs. The doctor will probably perform three other exams that will help determine the type and power of intraocular lens that you'll need. Keratometry measures the curvature of your cornea. Biometry measures the length of your eye using a laser. Corneal Topography analyzes the surface of the eye.

Traditional IOLs are monofocal, meaning they offer vision at one distance only (far, intermediate or near). They definitely are an improvement over the cataractous lens that is replaced during surgery, which provides only cloudy, blurred vision at any distance. But traditional IOLs mean that you must wear eyeglasses or contact lenses in order to read, use a computer or view objects in the middle distance, especially if you already are experiencing presbyopia before cataract surgery.

The new multifocal and accommodating IOLs such as Crystalens offer the possibility of seeing well at more than one distance, with much less need for glasses or contacts. Most health care plans will not cover these extra costs, because the additional benefits of these IOLs are considered a luxury and not a medical necessity.

Unlike standard cataract replacement lenses, the Crystalens corrects your cataracts and gives you the maximum range of clear vision. The Crystalens flexes like your eye's natural lens, allowing you to see better at all distances. Crystalens is an accommodating intraocular lens that, unlike a standard IOL, can treat both a person's cataracts and presbyopia loss of near and intermediate vision. You may have noticed a gradual loss of your up-close vision and had to start wearing reading glasses. Crystalens not only treats your cataracts (a clouding or hardening of your lens), but can also reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses. It does so by recreating accommodation similar to your eye's natural lens. The unique Crystalens can reduce or eliminate glasses for most activities, including: reading a book, working on the computer, and driving a car.

Crystalens was modeled after the human eye. Like the natural lens, it uses the eye muscle to flex and accommodate in order to focus on objects in the environment at all distances. Crystalens dynamically adjusts to your visual needs.