Read up on Cataracts treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Cataracts

Key points about treatments

If you have a cataract, it means the lens in your eye is cloudy. You may have trouble seeing clearly. This can get in the way of doing things you enjoy. And you may worry that your eyesight will get worse. But treatment can help you see better and get on with your life.

New glasses, brighter lighting, special sunglasses or magnifying lenses might help you early on. But these won't stop your cataract from getting worse. An operation is the only way to get rid of it.

Key points about treating cataracts

Not everyone with cataracts needs an operation, but surgery is the only way to get rid of them.
Around 9 in 10 people see better after their cataract operation. But your sight might not be perfect afterward. If you wore glasses before surgery, you may still need them.
An operation to take out your cloudy lens in small pieces (called phacoemulsification) works better than an operation to take it out in one piece (called manual extracapsular extraction).
In the United States, most people have their cataracts taken out by phacoemulsification.
The operation won't hurt. But there's a small chance that you will have problems during or after surgery.

This information was last updated on Dec 08, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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