A cataract is a cloudiness of the eye's natural lens, which lies between the front and back areas of the eye. [top]

protein is surrounded by a clear capsule. A cataract is a clouding of all or a portion of the protein inside the bag.

Each person's need is different. First obtain the best possible glasses and decide if the vision is provided is sufficient for your needs. Your job, hobby, driving needs, and personality will determine how satisfied you are with your vision.

All surgery involves some risk, so yes, it is serious. However, cataract surgery is the most commonly performed type of surgery in the United States. Many cataract surgeons have several thousand procedures under their belt. Choosing a surgeon with this much experience will reduce the risk of something going wrong. [top]

These symptoms also can be signs of other eye problems, so be sure to see an ophthalmologist for an accurate diagnosis.

Our Santa Barbara ophthalmologists can find a cataract in a regular eye exam. They will ask you to read a letter chart to test your visual acuity. Pupil dilation , done with special eye drops, helps the doctor to see the inside of your eyes. The doctor will use a bright light to test the clarity of your eyes’ lenses and to check for other problems in the back of your eyes.

Cataracts can be treated at our Santa Barbara office by surgically removing all or part of the lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Your ophthalmologist will tell you if your cataracts require surgery. Surgery is especially common in cases where the cataract is so large it could cause blindness.