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Undertanding (cataracts) as a medical condition and medical insurance coverage.
Cataracts are the opacification that develop in the lens of the eye, which lies behind the iris and pupil. Cataracts typically vary in opacity from translucent to completely opaque, obstructing the passage of light and preventing it from being focused onto the retina, thus damaging or permanently ending a person’s ability to see. Although cataracts usually affect both eyes, it is common that one eye is affected sooner than its partner, potentially suffering more damage. Cataracts cause vision loss over time and can be potentially blinding if left untreated.
Cataracts take time to develop severely-impacting effects on a person’s vision; symptoms usually begin when the vision is noticed to have become slightly blurred, as though looking through cloudy glass. Cataracts may also cause the eye to become sensitive to brightness or glaring, such as from an overhead light or the oncoming headlights of traffic. Colors, too, may appear less vibrant than before. Although these are common symptoms, different types of cataracts will result in different rates at which certain symptoms occur, if they occur at all. Any change in vision—including a sudden and temporary improvement called “second sight,” which may be indicative of a nuclear cataract—warrants a trip to the eye doctor.
Although no one is quite sure what causes the natural formation of cataracts as we age, other factors which may cause cataracts have been identified: Exposure to ultraviolet light and radiation are particularly common causes; for example, Iceland studies suggest that airline pilots are more likely to develop nuclear cataracts than non-pilots due to exposure to cosmic radiation. Astronauts, too, have been pegged as more likely to develop these cataracts for their increased exposure to different types of radiation.
Cataracts may be secondary symptoms of prior diseases, such as hypertension and especially diabetes. Congenital cataracts may form solely due to genetic predisposition in families; although most cataracts occur over time and later in life, congenital cataracts are more likely to occur in young adults and children. For those who also have atopic conditions or allergic reactions, especially children, the progression of pre-existing cataracts may quicken. Cataracts of various kinds may occur at any age due to severe physical trauma to the eye.
The prevention of cataracts is largely the maintenance of one’s general health. Some studies have suggested that users of steroids, diuretics, and tranquilizers are at risk for developing cataracts; discontinuing the use of these products can lower risk. Some eye care practitioners recommend choosing a diet high in antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, which may prevent cataract development in predisposed individuals; eating more than minimal salt, however, is likely to increase your risk. It is recommended that smokers cease the consumption of cigarettes, as cigarette smoke may cause cataracts. Air pollution and heavy alcohol consumption have also been targeted as common causes of cataracts; avoiding these, when possible, may drastically decrease risk. Eye care practitioners also recommend wearing sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats to reduce risk of exposure to cataract-causing ultraviolet radiation.
Surgery is not recommended until the cataract is well-developed; in the meantime, a pair of glasses or other visual aids may help reduce discomfort. When the cataract has sufficiently progressed to warrant surgery, surgeons may employ one of two types of eye surgery to remove it:
Extra capsular cataract surgery, typically used for advanced cataracts which are incapable of dissolving into fragments, requires a large incision so that the cataract may be removed in one piece; an artificial lens is then placed in the capsular bag of the eye, which is sutured and covered with an eye patch during the duration of the healing process.
Intracapsular cataract surgery, which is mostly reserved for causes of significant trauma, requires a very large wound; ultimately, the entire lens of the eye and surrounding capsule is removed, the artificial lens being placed in front of the iris as opposed to inside the eye.
The aforementioned artificial lens is typically an intraocular lens (or IOL). Intraocular lenses have existed since the 1960s and are most commonly used to replace the natural lens of the eye during cataract surgery. Intraocular lenses are small plastic lenses with plastic side struts (called “haptics”) which hold the lens in place inside the eye, within the capsular bag. Traditional intraocular lenses are monofocal; these lenses only allow the patient vision at a single distance (near, intermediate or far). These lenses require the patient to wear eyeglasses to maintain a full variety of vision distance after cataract surgery. However, multifocal intraocular lenses have been newly developed which offer the patient the ability to see well, without the assistance of eyeglasses or other visual aids such as contacts, at various distances.
Cataracts are common health problem which primarily occurs in aging persons but which can affect young people and children as well; however, cataract surgery—the most frequently performed surgery in the United States—can successfully remove existing cataracts and restore vision, while easy prevention can help reduce the number of cataracts that occur.
When the time comes to schedule your cataract surgery you will probably ask by the coordinator of your surgery what kind of intraocular lens do you want in your surgery? And he/she is probably referring to a (premium lens or conventional lens). The main differences are: The premium lens has the ability to reduce the dependence from glasses and there is a high percentage of chance that you don't have to wear glasses or contact lenses any longer even for reading.
Now, the conventional lens has also the ability to reduce dependence from glasses, but in this particular case the patient will need reading glasses after the procedure in order to read small prints.
Currently many companies are working to develop better intraocular lens, although that is already in the market many of them, but more than selecting between (Premium or Conventional lens) the patient don't really decide which type, brand or power, because is a medical decision.
Today is a reality that many medical insurance are covering cataract surgery. Even Medicare provides 80% coverage, as long as the patient has paid his/her year deductible, and for those who join a secondary insurance, very likely will cover the other 20%. We must clarify that Insurance do not cover Premium lenses but they will cover the conventional lens.
Page updated January 08, 2010