Every week we ask a health question to a medical expert. This week: my vision is blurred, what could be wrong? Ophthalmologist Suzanne Yzer: “By the age of 75, 70 percent of people have had cataracts or cataracts. It is relatively easy to treat.”
By Dorien DijkhuisI’ve been seeing blurry lately. Is there something wrong with my vision?
“You may have cataracts. If you have these symptoms, go to the doctor or ophthalmologist to have it checked.”
“An eye condition caused by aging of the lens of the eye. It is behind the pupil. Normally the lens is clear. With cataracts it becomes cloudy, making your vision blurred. It is then like looking through a fogged window. You see less contrast and color difference, suffer from backlight and see less in the dark. You often notice it when reading, watching television or driving.”
From what age does it occur?
“In principle, cataracts are an old-age disease. It occurs from the age of 50. At the age of 75, 70 percent of people have had cataracts or cataracts. It develops gradually. It is often possible to correct it with glasses at first.”
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Will it eventually blind you?
“No. But it may be that you see less and less. If it starts to hinder you in your daily life, it is wise to go to the doctor. He can refer you to the ophthalmologist.”
Is there anything that can be done? Medicines? Laser?
“Medication is not for it. Lasering can sometimes change the sharpness of vision, but it does not solve the cloudiness. Fortunately, cataracts can be treated surgically. The lens is replaced by an artificial lens and you see clearly again.”
It sounds like a major operation because it involves your eyes, but it isn’t.
“Get good advice. There are different types of lenses. It depends on the condition of the eye which lens can be placed. For people who want to see clearly both near and far without glasses, there is also a multifocal lens.”
Isn’t that a dangerous operation?
“It sounds like a serious operation, because it concerns your eyes, but it is not. It is a relatively simple procedure that takes a maximum of half an hour. In the Netherlands, 160,000 cataract operations are performed per year.”
Does something ever go wrong?
“In 98 percent of the cases it goes well the first time. Sometimes complications arise. They are usually resolved, often during the operation.”
Do some people have a higher risk of cataracts?
“The risk of cataracts is greater in chronic diseases such as diabetes and inflammatory diseases. Smoking and drinking a lot of alcohol also increase the risk. This is because less oxygen gets into the lens.”
Once you have surgery, will you be rid of cataracts for the rest of your life?
“The lens lasts a lifetime, so in principle you are rid of it after the operation. It is possible that you suffer from ‘after-stare’. During the operation, the lens is removed from the lens bag, but the bag itself remains in place. the new lens ends up. That pouch can become cloudy. Cataracts themselves cannot be lasered away, but after-stare can. Then you don’t have to worry about the cataract or the after-cataract coming back.”
dr. Suzanne Yzer is an ophthalmologist at Radboudumc.