Cataracts are a clouding of the lens. The lens, a small, transparent disc inside the eye, becomes yellowish over the years and subsequently develops cloudy areas. After a few years, or sometimes even a few months, these patches generally enlarge, causing blurred and hazy vision and, in the most advanced cases, blindness.
It should be remembered that cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness and a major cause of visual impairment worldwide.
When we are young, our lenses are generally like transparent glass, allowing us to see through them. As we age, they begin to become frosted, like bathroom glass, and start to limit our vision.
Cataracts usually appear in both eyes. They do not necessarily develop at the same time and sometimes progress at different rates and with different levels of severity in each eye.
Cataracts are extremely common in older people and can limit their ability to perform daily activities such as driving.
When to consult a doctor
The often slow progression of cataracts makes it an insidious disease. Early detection is only possible through a thorough eye examination by an ophthalmologist from the age of 50.
The most advanced forms are manifested by:
- A blurry or hazy vision.
- The impression that lights are too bright or dazzling (typically car headlights).
- Reduced vision in low-light conditions.
- The impression that colours have become faded.
- If you wear glasses, the impression that your lenses are dirty and need cleaning, even when they are not.
Cataracts are very rarely painful and do not usually cause red or irritated eyes.
Detection of age-related cataracts
Our ophthalmologists at Oculus centers perform a comprehensive eye examination, including a visual acuity test to assess your vision at different distances.
You will also undergo a biomicroscopy examination of the lens to diagnose and determine the stage of your cataract.
A dilated fundus examination is also performed to identify any other eye diseases that may require treatment or affect the visual prognosis after cataract surgery.
Treating age-related cataracts
Early cataracts that do not cause symptoms or affect the patient’s quality of life generally require only regular monitoring by an ophthalmologist.
However, when cataracts progress or begin to interfere with everyday activities, surgery becomes necessary. The cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens specifically selected for your eye.
Surgery is the only treatment proven to be effective for cataracts.
Learn more about cataract surgery
Cataracts and driving
Sight is the driver’s primary source of information. Any visual impairment can therefore have serious consequences, putting both the driver and other road users at risk.
In Switzerland, an examination of the main visual functions is an essential part of the periodic fitness-to-drive assessment for professional drivers and for all road users from the age of 75.
Cataracts are one of the most common eye diseases affecting people over the age of 50. When glare interferes with night driving or vision decreases, surgical treatment may be necessary to preserve the ability to drive safely.
Risk factors
Although aging is the primary cause of cataracts, certain factors can increase the risk of developing the condition, including:
- Diabetes.
- Eye injury.
- Long-term use of cortisone.
- Severe myopia.
Cataract treatment
Although no surgery is entirely without risk, modern cataract surgery has a very high success rate and can restore vision within just a few days. Today, cataract surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure using state-of-the-art equipment, including ophthalmic lasers. These technologies allow for smaller incisions, exceptional precision, and surgery without needles or stitches.
Short-acting sedation combined with anesthetic eye drops is usually sufficient to keep patients comfortable and pain-free throughout the procedure. The surgery typically lasts between 15 and 30 minutes, and most patients are able to resume their normal daily activities the following day.
All cataract surgeries scheduled at Oculus ophthalmology centers are performed at the Moléson Clinic. This outpatient clinic is equipped with advanced ophthalmic technology and lasers to ensure the highest standards of care during cataract surgery.
The Moléson Clinic collaborates with experienced ophthalmic surgeons who perform several hundred cataract procedures each year. The clinic is dedicated exclusively to outpatient surgery, providing patients with a modern, safe, and efficient treatment environment.
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