Most of us associate cataracts exclusively with gray hair and old age. This is one of those myths that can lull you into a false sense of security, because if we’re young, this problem doesn’t concern us, right? Nothing could be further from the truth. The eye’s lens can start to cloud at any time – sometimes even before we are born. At Swisslaser clinics in Warsaw and Krakow, we show patients every day that a ‘cataracts’ diagnosis is not a sentence, but the beginning of a journey to a new, better quality of life. Regardless of whether you are 20 or 80, you simply deserve to see the world without an irritating haze.
What will you learn from the text below?
- Do cataracts only affect seniors?Absolutely not, because this disease attacks at every stage – from the fetal period, through childhood, to adulthood.
- What signals should concern you?Pay attention to seeing ‘as if through a dirty pane of glass’, trouble judging distances, or being blinded by car lights at night.
- Is cataract surgery safe?Yes, modern surgery allows us to perform a painless procedure in a dozen minutes, so you can quickly return to your activities.
- What is the difference between laser and ultrasound?The ultrasound method (phacoemulsification) is a proven standard that we use at SwissLaser; the femtosecond laser performs some incisions automatically, but randomized studies have not shown improved results.
- Which lens to choose during the procedure?By opting for the PREMIUM option, you can not only get rid of cataracts but also correct astigmatism or a refractive error at the same time.
Cataracts are not just a disease of seniors – who is at risk?
Although statistics indeed indicate that every second person over 65 will be diagnosed with senile cataracts, don’t be fooled by these numbers. Cataracts are a biological process that can accelerate under the influence of many different factors.
Congenital and childhood cataracts: Why do the youngest get sick?
This is a difficult topic, but cataracts can develop already in the fetus. Often, the blame lies with infections that the expectant mother experiences (e.g., rubella or flu), or medications she takes. In children in the first years of life, the disease can also have a genetic basis. In such cases, every moment counts – the sooner we react, the greater the chance for proper visual development in the child.
Cataracts in young adults: The impact of medications and systemic diseases
Have you ever heard of drug-induced cataracts? Some medications, such as steroids, can cloud the lens in people in the prime of life. Sometimes vision problems also appear as an unwanted addition to diabetes or large, uncorrected refractive errors. Who would have thought that all this is so interconnected?
Senile cataracts: Why is it worth checking your eyesight more often after the age of 50?
When we cross fifty, our lens naturally loses elasticity and transparency. Medicine calls this acquired cataracts. Instead of waiting until you completely lose your independence, just visit an eye doctor as soon as you notice that the sharpness of the image starts to ‘float’.
How to recognize the first signs? Symptoms you must not ignore
Are you blaming it on lack of sleep? Or maybe you’re convincing yourself it’s just the effect of sitting in front of the computer? Cataracts develop silently, but they leave clear traces.
Problems driving at night and sensitivity to light
Have you noticed that headlights of oncoming cars blind you more than before? This is a classic sign. Light scatters on the clouded lens, creating bothersome halos and glare around the lights.
Seeing ‘as if through a fog’: When do glasses stop being enough?
Do you feel like the world looks as if you’re looking through a dirty window that can’t be cleaned no matter what? In advanced stages, even the most expensive and best-fitted glasses stop helping. This is the moment when you need to act at the source.
Difficulty judging distances and distinguishing colors
The world suddenly loses saturation, and colors become yellowish and faded. You may also start tripping on stairs more often or have trouble precisely pouring water into a glass. This is a sign that your depth perception is failing.
Diagnosis and stages of disease development – why time matters?
“Don’t wait for cataracts to ‘mature'” – warns Dr. Victor Derhartunian. “This is an outdated approach that no longer makes sense today. The harder the lens becomes, the more difficult it is to remove safely. In addition, the risk of an increase in eye pressure and a glaucoma attack increases. Diagnosis is now quick and painless – just a moment of examination with a dilated pupil”.
What does an eye lens examination look like? The simplicity of cataract diagnosis
An experienced doctor needs literally a moment and a slit lamp to check what is happening with your lens. This examination doesn’t hurt at all, and it gives us a clear answer: whether it’s cataracts, or perhaps another vision defect that we can easily correct.
From clouding to vision loss: The process of lens hardening
Cataracts are a process that progresses step by step. It starts innocently, with small spots on the periphery, but over time the lens becomes thick and rigid. In extreme situations, this leads to blindness, which, fortunately, we can reverse with surgery. So, is it worth delaying?
Modern surgical methods: A safe return to full functionality
We have great news for you: modern ophthalmology deals with cataracts masterfully. You can find everything about how modern cataract treatment proceeds in our detailed guide.
Phacoemulsification vs. Femtoemulsification – ultrasound or laser?
In the ultrasound method, we break up the diseased lens and remove it through a microscopic incision. Femtoemulsification goes a step further – here, some incisions are performed by a femtosecond laser; at SwissLaser, we no longer use this method because it did not show superiority. Both paths lead to the goal: implanting a new, crystal-clear lens.
Choosing an intraocular lens: Differences between the NFZ standard and PREMIUM class
Choosing a lens is actually an investment in your comfort for the rest of your life. Standard options usually allow you to see sharply at only one distance. PREMIUM lenses can do much more – they correct astigmatism or allow you to read books and drive a car without needing glasses!
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
1. Does cataract surgery hurt?
Don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing! The procedure is performed under local anesthesia using drops. You might feel like someone is touching your eye or pouring water on it, but pain is completely eliminated.
2. Can cataracts ever return?
An artificial lens does not cloud, so ‘true’ cataracts will not return. Sometimes, so-called secondary cataracts (clouding of the lens capsule) occur, but we remove them in a minute during a simple office visit.
3. How long does recovery take?
Most patients see a huge difference the day after the procedure. Full recovery usually takes a few days – then you can calmly go for walks or watch your favorite movie.
4. Can both eyes be operated on at once?
Yes — we typically operate on both eyes during one session, each as a separate procedure. Upon request, we can operate on the second eye at a separate time, after a few days or weeks.
5. Will I still need to wear glasses after the surgery?
That depends on you and the chosen lens. If you opt for a multifocal PREMIUM lens, you have a great chance of completely saying goodbye to reading and distance glasses!
Where we perform cataract surgery: cataract surgery in Warsaw (ul. Kolejowa 1) · cataract surgery in Krakow (ul. Kluczborska 15/U3) · price list. Qualification, procedure, and follow-ups at the chosen clinic, performed by Dr. med. Victor Derhartunian.
