A cataract is the clouding of the lens inside the eye. When we are born, the lens is crystal clear. However, due to a variety of factors that can include natural aging, cataracts form and cause a slow steady decline of vision. The first symptoms that patients commonly notice are glare from oncoming headlights when driving at night or need more light to be able to read small print. Other symptoms can include cloudiness of vision, worsening glasses prescription, and occasionally double vision.

The decline in vision usually takes place in someone’s 60s and 70s. Once the cataracts become “visually significant”, we recommend proceeding with cataract surgery. In this procedure, the cataract is removed from inside the eye and replaced with a synthetic intraocular lens (or IOL).

If you feel you have had a decline in vision, please make an appointment with our specialists to see if cataracts are the cause. We will do a thorough eye exam to confirm the presence of cataracts and to see if they have developed enough for them to be removed. We will also look to see if there are any other conditions that may be responsible for the decline in vision.

Part 1: What is a Cataract?
Part 2: Cataract Surgery with Champlain Ophthalmology
Part 3: Which Intraocular Lens Should You Choose?
Part 4: Laser Cataract Surgery
Part 5: Dropless Cataract Surgery