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$Pretitle{Nervous System and Sense Organs}
$Title{Where Does a Cataract Come From?}
$Subject{eyes cataract surgery}
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Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Where Does a Cataract Come From?


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QUESTION:  Could you please describe the exact nature of a cataract, where
they come from and how to treat them?  My husband faces this problem and needs
to know as much as we can find out about them.  Please consider this important
question for your column.

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ANSWER:  It is an important question for the many people, like your husband
that face the same situation.  A cataract is a clouding of the normally
transparent lens of the eye, caused by physical and chemical changes in the
lens.  This occurs from natural aging or eye injuries, inflammation, or as a
complication of disease, as in the case of diabetes.  The lens gets thicker
and more yellow as the cataract ages (or matures), until light cannot pass
through and vision is obstructed.  Surgery is the only effective method for
cataract removal.  The lens is taken out and is usually replaced with an
intraocular plastic lens at the time of surgery.  The procedures takes about
20 minutes and many patients go home the same day.  Over 1,000,000 cataract
operations are performed each year and 95 percent are successful.  But there
are risks, such as bleeding, infection, glaucoma, optic nerve damage, cloudy
cornea, retinal detachment, lid droop and lens implant dislocation.  Discuss
this with your carefully chosen eye surgeon.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
