A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most of the time, cataracts are directly related to aging.

As we age, cataracts become more and more prevalent.

A cataract cannot spread from one eye to the other, and can occur in a single eye or both eyes.

Picture taken from

www.aboutcataractsurgery.com. 14th of

July, 2010.

Information and statistics gathered from the National Eye Institute website

at : www.nei.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp

• Cataracts can form after surgery for other eye problems, such as glaucoma. Cataracts can also develop in people with other serious health concerns.Secondary Cataract

• Cataracts can develop after an eye injury, sometimes years later.

Traumatic Cataract

• Some babies are born with cataracts or develop them during childhood, often in both eyes.

Congenital Cataract

• Cataracts can develop after exposure to some types of radiation.

Radiation Cataract

Information and statistics gathered from the National Eye Institute website

at : www.nei.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Men Women

26.7

37.3

18.4

23.3

Diabetes No Diabetes

Statistical information taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5345a3.htm#tab. 27th July 2010.

It may not affect your vision at first, but over time, the tinting makes it more difficult to read and perform other daily activities.

Other times, cataracts can change the color of the lens to a yellow/brown color, which adds a tint to your vision.

Over time, cataracts tend to grow at a very slow rate and eventually cloud the lens, blurring your vision.

When a cataract is small, it may affect your vision minimally.

Information and statistics gathered from the National Eye Institute website

at : www.nei.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp

People as young as their 40’s and 50’s have been

diagnosed with cataracts.

During these years, most cataracts are so

small, they do not affect vision and therefore may

go untreated.

After age 60 is when most people start

experiencing the affects from the cataracts.

Their vision becomes impaired and therefore the cataract must be

treated.

Information and statistics gathered from the National Eye Institute website

at : www.nei.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp

Possible Cause - Age

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 >= 80

2.56.8

20.0

42.8

68.3

Cataracts

Statistical information taken from the National Eye Institute’s website:

http://www.nei.nih.gov/eyedata/pbd_tables.asp. 27th July 2010.

Smoking and Alcohol

Diabetes

Prolonged exposure to Sunlight

Wear and Tear over the Years

Information and statistics gathered from the National Eye Institute website

at : www.nei.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp

Glare from headlights bothers your eyes

Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Double Vision

Unable to see in the night

Colors seem faded

Cloudy or Blurred Vision

Information and statistics gathered from the National Eye Institute website

at : www.nei.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp

Severe eye painA sudden change

in your vision or double vision

Having problems seeing during the daytime because

of the glare

Have difficulty driving at night

because of glare from the headlights

Have vision problems that are

affecting your daily activities

Any other noticeable

changes to your eye sight

Information received from:

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cataracts/page4_em.htm and

http://www.nei.nih.gov/eyedata/pbd_tables.asp 27th July 2010.

• This eye chart measures how well you see at various distances

Visual Acuity Test

• Drops are placed in your eyes to widen the pupils, allowing eye professionals to better examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems.

Dilated Eye Exam

• An instrument measures the pressure inside the eye. Numbing drops may be applied to your eye during this test.

Tonometry

Information and statistics gathered from the National Eye Institute website

at : www.nei.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp

Some cataracts can be improved with new eyeglasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses.

If these types of treatments do not work, then surgery would be the next course of action.

Surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens.

A cataract will be removed most of the time, only when vision loss interferes with your every day activities, such as driving, reading, or watching TV.

Delaying cataract surgery will not cause long-term damage to your eye. There is no need to rush right into surgery.

TREATMENT

Information and statistics gathered from the National Eye Institute website

at : www.nei.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp

There are approximately

255 Participants on the Vision Plan

44 participants were diagnosed with

Cataracts.

6 elected to have cataract surgery of

the 44 that were diagnosed

Phacoemulsification or Phaco Surgery

A small incision is made on the side of the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the

eye. Your doctor inserts a tiny probe into the eye. This device emits

ultrasound waves that soften and break up the lens so that it can be

removed by suction. Most surgeries today are done by this procedure

Extracapsular Surgery

Your doctor makes a longer incision on the side of the cornea and removes the cloudy core of the lens in one

piece. The rest of the lens is removed by suction.

Information and statistics gathered from the National Eye Institute website

at : www.nei.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp

There is no proven way to prevent cataracts, but some lifestyle changes can help slow the risk of cataract development

Quit SmokingWearing a Hat or Sunglasses when you are in the sun

Avoid sunlamps and tanning

booths

Eat a diet rich in Vitamins C and E

Eat lots of fresh fruit and leafy

green vegetables

Limit your alcohol content

Avoid the use of steroid medicines,

if you are able

Keep your Diabetes under

control

Visit your Eye Care Provider for regular check-ups

Information received from: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cataracts/page4_em.htm and

http://www.nei.nih.gov/eyedata/pbd_tables.asp 27th July 2010.

• The medically necessary service of cataract surgery, is covered under the medical portion of the plan as an illness. It is not limited to the vision benefit of the plan.

• Ophthalmologist visits are covered according to the diagnosis and service provided.

• Please review your Summary Plan Description for more information.