Dr. Mark Freedman explains his findings to a patient and her daughter.
African-Americans seem to have nearly twice the risk of developing cataracts than do Caucasians. This difference may be due to other medical illnesses, particularly diabetes. African-Americans are also much more likely to become blind from cataracts and glaucoma than Caucasians, mostly due to lack of treatment. Despite this threat, most people don’t know the facts about cataracts until they are “eye-to-eye” with one. Don’t let poor vision cloud your future. Educate yourself now about the signs and treatment for cataracts.
CATARACT FACTS
• What exactly is a cataract? “A cataract is NOT a film or growth on the eye. It is a clouding of the natural lens located inside the eye behind the pupil,” states Dr. Brett Rhode, Head of Ophthalmology at Aurora Sinai Medical Center. “This lens is made mostly of water and protein and works like a camera lens—focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye to form the images you see. As you age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud the lens. This is called a ‘cataract.’ As the clouding advances, it can cause blurred vision and problems with glare that affect the ability to do daily tasks like reading, driving, etc.” Depending on the type of cataract, the clouding may take years or just months to progress.
• What causes a cataract? Cataracts are most commonly caused by the aging process (six out of 10 people over age 60 have some form). This clouding may also occur due to heredity, injury, disease (such as diabetes), medications (steroids/cortisone), birth defects, and long-term, unprotected sunlight exposure.
• How do you treat a cataract? “There are no drugs, drops, glasses or exercises that will prevent or cure cataracts,” says Dr. Norman Cohen, cofounder of Eye Care Specialists, one of the state’s leading ophthalmology practices. “The only effective treatment is to make an opening in the eye, surgically remove the cloudy lens (cataract), and replace it with an intraocular lens implant (IOL) to once again focus light rays onto the retina,” adds Cohen, the first Wisconsin eye surgeon to use high-frequency ultrasound to gently break up and vacuum out cataracts through a tiny incision.
• Intraocular Lens Implants (IOLs)
IOLs not only provide sharper vision, but often improve sight to levels not seen in years. Local ophthalmologist and Harvard graduate Dr. Daniel Paskowitz explains, “Standard IOLs are mono-focal, acting like miniature internal contact lenses set for a single strength or prescription power—usually to provide clear vision in the distance for driving, watching TV, and other tasks. Most patients with these lenses still need reading glasses or bifocals. Newer ‘premium’ IOLs are designed to provide multiple focusing zones for a fuller range of vision near and far with little or no dependence on glasses. Your surgeon will help you determine which type of IOL is best for your eye, health, lifestyle and budget.”
• When should you have surgery?
Dr. Mark Freedman, an ophthalmologist with thousands of cases under his surgical cap advises, “It’s not necessary to wait to remove a cataract until it’s so ripe that almost all vision is blocked. In fact, if you wait too long, it can grow so dense that the operation becomes riskier and more difficult. I tell patients that if the cataract is preventing you from doing tasks, new glasses won’t improve clarity, and no other conditions exist which would negate the benefits of removal (like severe macular degeneration), then it’s time for surgery.”
• Why do people hesitate?
An eye surgeon who sees patients at Milwaukee, West Allis and Mayfair area locations, Dr. Daniel Ferguson observes, “Some people delay surgery because they think it’s unaffordable. They don’t realize it’s covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurances.” He adds, “Others think they are too old or that poor vision is just a fact of life that comes with age. We want everyone to know that vision loss from cataracts is usually reversible, and with today’s advanced techniques and equipment, cataract removal is one of the safest outpatient operations— even for the very elderly.
• What happens before surgery?
“Once a patient decides to proceed, we put our years of experience to use in planning for the best possible outcome,” explains Dr. Robert Sucher, a state leader in cataract surgery techniques and technology. “We enter information regarding the length of the eye and curvature of the cornea into a special computer that calculates the power of IOL which would best restore vision to pre-cataract levels. We then customize the type of implant and surgical technique to fit the patient’s needs—taking into consideration overall health, any diabetic or retinal problems, lifestyle, and other factors. We never lose sight of the fact that even though we’ve performed tens of thousands of cataract procedures, each patient is unique.”
• What happens after surgery?
After surgery, patients go home and resume almost all activities within hours, and vision noticeably improves within days. “Most people are so pleased with seeing things brighter and clearer, that they can’t wait to have their other eye done,” notes Rhode.
CATARACT SYMPTOMS
Poor vision is not a fact of life. Schedule an eye exam if you notice:
• Foggy, fuzzy, blurred or double vision
• Sensitivity to light and glare
• “Starbursts” around lights
• Difficulty driving at night
• Holding items closer to view
• Needing brighter light to read
• Fading or yellowing of colors
• Lens prescription changes that don’t help
BEST PROTECTION (against cataracts and other eye conditions)
• Get regular eye checkups because eye diseases don’t always have symptoms. African-Americans over age 40 should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once every two years. If you have diabetes, you need an eye exam at least once a year. Ask your doctor how often you should have your eyes checked.
• Protect your eyes from the sun with sunglasses and a hat.
• Don’t smoke.
• Control your blood pressure.
• Eat healthy foods, including lots of fruits and green leafy vegetables.
REASONS NOT TO DELAY CATARACT TREATMENT
1. Cataract removal with lens implantation has been around for 50+ years and is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in Americans over age 65. The overwhelming majority of patients improve their vision—often to levels they haven’t seen in years,” notes Norman Cohen, MD.
2. Improving vision can impact quality of life. One study found that even with only modest levels of visual improvement, participants could read, write, use the telephone, watch TV, and play cards better. They also reported less psychological distress (such as worry and frustration). “Removing a cloudy cataract and improving vision can also increase the amount of light and color which enters the eye, thus positively impacting cortisol, melatonin, and mood levels,” states Robert Sucher, MD.
3. “A recent study showed that people who have their cataracts removed and replaced with implants have half the car accident risk of people who don’t have surgery,” cites Dr. Daniel Ferguson.
4. “You’ll decrease your risk of falling by up to 78%, according to one study,” reports Dr. Mark Freedman. Of the nearly 1,000 hip fractures that occur in the U.S. each day, 18% are caused by visual impairment (oftentimes due to cataracts).
5. “Medicare covers 80% of the allowable cost of cataract surgery. If you have supplemental insurance, a majority (and perhaps all) of the remaining cost is usually covered as well,” points out Daniel Paskowitz, MD, Phd.
6. There’s minimal surgical and recovery time. “Our practice utilizes the latest technology, including ultrasonic cataract removal, so that the operation itself takes only 10-20 minutes. After surgery, patients go home and can resume most all normal activities within hours, and vision noticeably improves within days,” Dr. Brett Rhode explains.
FREE BOOKLETS & INFORMATION
Eye Care Specialists’ doctors are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and macular degeneration. They frequently lecture to the public and fellow physicians and have written their own series of booklets on these conditions.
Call 414-321-7035 for FREE copies or to schedule an appointment for a thorough eye screening (usually covered by insurance or Medicare) at their offices on 7th & Wisconsin Avenue, Mayfair Road across from the mall, or 102nd & National. They also offer information at www.eyecarespecialists.net.