Cataracts: Understanding Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and Surgery Costs [Ophthalmologist Reviewed]

Cataracts: Understanding Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and Surgery Costs [Ophthalmologist Reviewed]

Have you been experiencing blurry vision or increased glare? These could be signs of cataracts. Cataracts are a clouding of the eye's lens, often developing with age and commonly experienced by older adults. This article provides a comprehensive overview of cataract symptoms, causes, treatments, surgery costs, and prevention methods.

1. What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts occur when the eye's lens, similar to a camera lens, becomes cloudy. This clouding prevents light from reaching the retina properly, resulting in blurred or hazy vision.

2. Cataract Symptoms

Common symptoms of cataracts include:

• Blurred or hazy vision

• Increased sensitivity to glare (photophobia)

• Double or multiple vision (diplopia)

• Changes in color perception, often with a yellowish tint (color vision changes)

• Reduced vision, especially at night

These symptoms vary depending on the degree and type of lens clouding. Early-stage cataracts may cause slight vision blurring, while advanced cataracts can significantly impair daily life.

3. Cataract Causes

The most common cause of cataracts is aging (senile cataracts). Other contributing factors include:

• UV radiation

• Diabetes

• Atopic dermatitis

• Long-term use of steroid medications

• Eye injuries (traumatic cataracts)

• Genetic predisposition (congenital cataracts)

Age-related cataracts result from protein changes in the lens, leading to clouding.

4. Cataract Treatments

While eye drop treatments are available to slow the progression of cataracts, from an ophthalmologist perspective, surgical treatments are prefered as a curative option.

• Eye Drop Treatments:

  • Aims to slow down the progression of the Cataracts.

  • Often used in the early stages of cataracts.

• Surgical Treatment:

  • Involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

  • Highly effective for restoring vision.

  • Cataract surgery is one of the most refined and safest procedures in ophthalmology, often performed on an outpatient basis.

  • Surgery costs vary depending on the type of IOL and the medical facility.

    
    

5. Cataract Prevention

While it's difficult to completely prevent cataracts, these measures can reduce the risk:

• UV protection: Wear UV-blocking sunglasses and hats.

• Manage underlying conditions: Control diabetes and other systemic diseases.

• Consume antioxidant-rich foods: Include green leafy vegetables and fruits in your diet.

• Regular eye exams: Schedule routine eye checkups.

  
  

6. Cataract Surgery Costs

Cataract surgery costs vary depending on the type of IOL and the medical facility.

• Insurance coverage (for residence in Japanese): Typically covers a portion of the cost, with out-of-pocket expenses ranging from 10% to 30%.

• Premium IOLs: Multifocal or other advanced IOLs may not be fully covered by insurance and can be more expensive.

• It is very important to confirm all cost with your eye doctor before surgery.

  
  

7. Conclusion

Early detection and treatment of cataracts can restore vision. If you experience any vision changes, consult an ophthalmologist promptly.

This article was reviewed by

Dr. Daiki Sakai, MD