A cataract is the clouding of the lens of the eye, the normally clear part of the eye that focuses light to create an image on your retina, allowing you to see. The clouding is caused by a natural breakdown in proteins in the lens, which then clump together and make your field of vision cloudy or blurry.
Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes, and they are the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S., affecting more than 20 million adults over age 40. They’re also the leading cause of vision loss worldwide.
“Cataracts may progress quickly, causing noticeably dimmer, hazier vision,” says Brian Schwam, M.D., Senior Director, Global Medical Affairs, Vision at Johnson & Johnson. “But often they develop so slowly that it can take years to become aware of vision changes. If left untreated, cataracts can cloud so much that they ultimately cause blindness.”
“Fortunately, even at this stage, cataracts can be successfully removed through cataract surgery leading to improved vision,” says Dr. Schwam.
What causes cataracts?
Cataracts naturally form as our eyes age. The gradual clouding of the lens starts at birth but typically doesn’t cause problems until a person reaches their 50s, 60s or 70s.
Aside from age, risk factors for cataracts include excess sun exposure, a family history of cataracts and certain health conditions such as diabetes, according to the National Eye Institute.
Common cataract symptoms
When a cataract forms, you’ll likely start to experience blurriness and less tolerance to bright lights. Colors may not look as vibrant as they once did, and the words or images on screens might seem dimmer or as if you’re viewing them through a fogged window.
As the cataract develops and the lens gets cloudier, these symptoms become more pronounced. Everyday tasks like reading, driving and recognizing faces become more difficult.
Improving vision impacted by early-stage cataracts
“As vision changes, patients should have an evaluation by their eye doctor,” says Dr. Schwam. “Especially since some of the symptoms of cataracts are similar to those of more serious eye conditions.”
During a dilated eye exam, an ophthalmologist will be able to confirm the presence of cataracts while ruling out other potential issues.
If a cataract is present but isn’t causing significant difficulty reading, driving or doing any other day-to-day activity, certain measures can help—such as changing your glasses prescription, using magnifying lenses and relying on more focused lights when reading and viewing screens, he says.
What to know about cataract removal surgery
“When patients decide they’re at the stage where they can’t do what they enjoy—like driving, reading or watching TV—we start to think about cataract surgery,” says Dr. Schwam.
The good news is that cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful surgeries performed today—offering the only effective treatment for cataracts.
During this outpatient procedure, a patient is given eye drops to dilate the pupil, as well as medication that numbs the entire eye. A sedative that causes sleepiness and ensures the patient is relaxed and comfortable is then administered.
The most common method of the actual surgery is referred to as small incision cataract surgery. With this procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision near the edge of the cornea of the eye. Next, a small probe emits ultrasound waves to break apart the nucleus (called phacoemulsification), which is the hard center of the clouded lens.
The rest of the cataract is then removed through the incision, using a suction probe. In some cases, a laser is also used to assist in the surgical procedure.
Once the natural lens is removed, the surgeon replaces it with an artificial lens implant—called an intraocular lens, or IOL—in the space where the natural lens once was. The procedure alone takes 10 to 15 minutes, and the total time from going into surgery and to recovery is typically less than an hour.
Innovating in intraocular lenses (IOLs)
Johnson & Johnson has long been committed to developing IOLs that restore vision to patients who undergo cataract surgery.
TECNIS™ lenses, by Johnson & Johnson, are backed by 25 years of innovation. Every year, millions of patients worldwide choose TECNIS™ lenses for their cataract surgery.
Johnson & Johnson recently announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of TECNIS PureSee™ IOL, an extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOL intended for use in cataract surgery.
With TECNIS PureSee, patients can experience continuous clear, vibrant vision at distance and intermediate ranges with some near (compared to an aspheric monofocal), in all lighting conditions. TECNIS PureSee IOL is approved globally.
The TECNIS portfolio also includes TECNIS Odyssey™ IOL, a full visual range (FVR) IOL and TECNIS Eyhance™ IOL, the first monofocal IOL designed to slightly extend depth of focus.
Presbyopia and astigmatism can also be corrected during cataract surgery with specialized IOLs or by using a laser for astigmatism specifically. Presbyopia-correcting IOLs are advanced technology implants that can help you see at different distances, minimizing your need for glasses.
Before opting to have cataract surgery, Dr. Schwam recommends that patients talk to their doctor about the lens options that are right for them, as well as their goals for their eyesight—in other words, if they want an IOL that specifically restores distance vision only or also intermediate or near vision or a combination.
That open communication can help determine the best IOL for a patient’s individual needs.
This is a revision to a story originally published on August 30, 2024
