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What They Are; What To Do About Them Every year, approximately 1.5 million people in the United States have surgery to remove cataracts from their eyes. A cataract, from the Greek word for waterfall, is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. With age, the strands of protein in the lens begin to cloud up, giving the appearance of a waterfall when examined closely. This clouding up of the lens scatters light and prevents some light from reaching the retina, causing vision to blur. Nearly half of all people will have a cataract by the time they are 65 years of age. In addition to aging, other causes of cataracts include: a family history of cataract medical problems, such as diabetes injury to the eye medications, such as steroids high salt intake long-term unprotected exposure to sunlight previous eye surgery. So what can be done to help prevent or delay the onset of cataracts? Perhaps the most important thing you can do is protect your eyes from ultraviolet light – that’s right, when outside in daylight, wear wraparound sunglasses that block 100 percent of UVA and UVB, and wear a wide-brimmed hat. There is also some evidence that eating a diet rich in antioxidants – foods such as spinach, broccoli, and eggs – and taking vitamin E and C supplements may help reduce the risk of developing cataracts. You can discuss your particular nutritional needs when seeing your Eye M.D. (ophthalmologist) every year or two for a comprehensive eye examination. For women, there is evidence that taking estrogen as part of hormone replacement therapy also greatly decreases the risk of developing cataracts. But if you find you have developed a cataract, you are in luck because cataract surgery is the most successful ophthalmic surgery available – over 95 percent of cataract surgeries are performed without complications and result in a significant improvement in vision. Cataract surgery involves removal of the cloudy lens and replacement of it with an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens, or IOL. The most widespread technique used for removal of cataracts is called phacoemulsification, or “phaco” for short. In this technique, a small incision is made just at the edge of the cornea, and a small ultrasonic tip is inserted into the front part of the eye to break up the cataract with rapid vibrations. The pieces of the cataract are then suctioned out through a small needle. The latest version of this technique uses a no-stitch clear cornea incision. The incision is so small it requires no stitches and seals naturally. ReZOOm The ReZoom™ Multifocal Intraocular Lens (IOL) is designed to provide patients with multifunctional vision. The ReZoom™ lens not only treats cataracts, but it also turns back the clock to bring back much of your ability to see up close and at a distance. For many people who have worn glasses or contacts most of their lives, the ReZoom™ Multifocal lens can mean independence for the first time. After surgery with traditional single vision monofocal lenses, most people experience very good vision at a single focal point -- either near or at a distance. In most cases, the monofocal lens provides good distance vision for driving, walking and some everyday activities. However, most people receiving single vision monofocal lenses require reading glasses or bifocals to have a full range of vision. The ReZoom™ Multifocal Lens has a patented new design called Balanced View Optics™ Technology. This lens design creates multiple focal points so you can see well at a variety of distances, be it near, mid-distance, or far. In fact, in clinical studies, 92% of those who received the ReZoom™ Multifocal lens reported wearing glasses either "never" or "occasionally." Astigmatism Correction Options Astigmatism is correctable with glasses and contact lenses. The corrective lenses regulate and manage the misalignment caused by the misshapen cornea.