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What are the symptoms of cataracts and how are they taken care of through surgery?

i am an insulin dependant diabetic (35+ years) and i think i have cataracts...how are these taken care of and is surgury usually successful?

Public Comments

1. symptoms of cataracts include blurry vision, feeling of film over eye and glares and "halos' around lights (such as headlights from cars) the surgery is a relatively minor one in which the ophthalmologist makes a small incsion on the eye and removes the cataract,( which is basically a clouding of the natural lens in your eye). After that an artificial lens is implanted into the eye and this lens is made to last a lifetime. I work in ophthalmology and this is a routine surgery with a very high success rate. If you are having blurred vision you might want to monitor your blood sugar carefully since your vision does fluctuate along with your sugars.make an appointment to see an ophthalmolgist and determine whether or not your vision can be corrected with glasses, or if the cataracts are ready for removal. good luck ..
2. The most common form of cataract is an AGE RELATED cataract which usually appears 60 y/o and above. Diabetics on the other hand, due to the accumulation of sorbitol (a type of sugar) within their lenses develop cataracts earlier, and these are known as DIABETIC cataracts. Cataracts will manifest in various way depending on their origin and actual postion within the crystalline lens. Individuals with cataracts may feel nothing at all, smoky vision, glare with bright light sources (i.e. headlights), or simple blurring. Unfortunately there are no proven medical treatments for cataracts. There is no oral or topical medication which can REMOVE cataracts. However there are commercial avialable topical medications which claim to slow down the progression of the cataract, but does not do anything to remove them. Surgery is still the definitive treatment for cataracts. Since you are only 35 years old, your cataract (if you do have one) will be relative soft and relatively easier to take out. Phacoemulsification is the best way to remove cataracts. There is also now a very WIDE range of options for intra-ocular lens implants to replace your natural cataractous lens. Succes rate is quite good. Complications happen few and far between but they still do happen. I think it is best that you discuss these things further with your trusted ophthalmologist since this is already getting to be quite lengthy.
3. AJS Mom had the answer I would have given you! :) Consider all your lens options, including multifocal and toric (if you have astigmatism). These lenses are not for everyone so you'd really have to discuss them with your eye doctor. The eye doctors I work for quote a 96% success rate, 3% no change in vision, and 1% risk. Insulin dependent diabetics may not heal as quickly, and may have a slightly higher risk ratio, but overall, cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful surgeries performed in this country. Hard to believe that many people in impoverished countries go blind from cataracts, simply to lack of medical/surgical care. It's sooooo preventable!