According to HealthInAging.org, cataracts affect as many as one in five people 65 and older. Their prevalence also increases with age, with as many as half of all individuals 75 and older having this condition, which makes the eyes’ lenses cloudy and dark.
The good news is that cataracts are curable through surgery. The goal of the procedure is to remove and replace the clouded natural lens with an artificial one, restoring clear vision.
But are the results permanent? Or can cataracts come back after surgery?
In this comprehensive guide, the caring team at TerraBella Myrtle Beach, our all-inclusive retirement village in the majestic, coastal city of Myrtle Beach, SC, will answer those questions. So please read on, as we’ll share insights into eye health for seniors that can help you better understand cataract surgery and aging.
Can Cataracts Come Back After Surgery?
No, cataracts cannot come back after surgery. After all, the procedure entails removing the natural lens that has become cloudy. It then gets replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
Without a natural lens whose proteins may break down and become cloudy, an eye with a synthetic lens should no longer develop cataracts.
There is, however, a condition that may occur following cataract surgery that causes vision changes similar to cataracts: posterior capsular opacification (PCO), also sometimes referred to as “secondary cataracts.”
What Are Secondary Cataracts?
Although some people refer to them as secondary cataracts, PCO doesn’t affect the artificial lens implanted during cataract surgery. Instead, it affects the posterior lens capsule, a thin, transparent membrane that forms the back surface of the eye’s lens capsule. In people who’ve had cataract surgery, the posterior lens capsule contains the synthetic IOL.
Secondary cataracts may occur in people who’ve had cataract surgery if the epithelial cells of their previous natural lens remained in the posterior lens capsule. In this case, the epithelial cells proliferate (increase or multiply rapidly) and create clusters, clouding the capsule and preventing light from reaching the retina. As a result, the clusters obstruct vision, resulting in the lens capsule becoming opaque and causing hazy, cloudy eyesight.
PCO is a prevalent complication of cataract surgery. According to the Cleveland Clinic, within five years of cataract surgery, secondary cataracts affect up to half of all people who’ve had the procedure.
Are Secondary Cataracts Preventable?
You can’t prevent secondary cataracts. However, researchers and scientists are constantly looking for ways to improve upon or develop new surgical methods and IOL innovations. Their goal is to lower a person’s risk of developing PCO.
It’s also vital to note that secondary cataracts are easily treatable with Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) laser capsulotomy. It’s a quick and painless type of in-office laser surgery that takes as little as five minutes, as WebMD points out.
YAG laser capsulotomy involves numbing the eyes with eye drops and using YAG lasers to create a tiny hole in the cloudy lens capsule. The hole then allows light to pass through the IOL. Once light freely passes through, you should have clear vision once more.
Are Primary Cataracts Preventable?
While secondary cataracts are treatable, seniors in Myrtle Beach, SC, should prioritize keeping primary cataracts at bay, as doing so helps them minimize their risks of having to undergo cataract surgery. And while it’s not 100% possible to prevent all cataracts, there are still many ways older adults can reduce their odds of developing such vision problems.
Here are some senior wellness tips and insights into healthy aging and eyesight aimed at lowering the risks of cataracts (and other vision woes).
Quitting or Never Smoking
As the U.S. CDC points out, cataracts are among the biggest threats to eyesight that smoking can bring.
So, for seniors who’ve never smoked, please don’t start now. For those who do, consider quitting now.
Using Eye Protection
In Myrtle Beach, cool Atlantic breezes and 60 miles of sandy beaches make it a prized retirement destination. However, the area’s sunny disposition can also put seniors’ eyesight and vision health at risk. The sun’s UV rays can damage not just the skin but also the eyes.
Direct exposure to the sun’s UV rays, especially for extended periods, can contribute to the deterioration or breakdown of the proteins in the eyes’ lenses. When this happens, the risk for cataract development increases, as the broken-down proteins may clump together and obstruct vision.
The above doesn’t mean Myrtle Beach seniors should avoid the sun as much as possible and shy away from fun and engaging outdoor senior activities and events. They can still enjoy all these experiences safely, provided they take UV precautions and measures, such as:
- Wearing sunglasses rated to screen up to 90% of visible light and block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation
- Donning a wide-brimmed hat for additional shade and protection for the eyes, especially if outdoors during peak hours (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.)
- Wearing UV-protective sunglasses and hats even when it’s cloudy
Just as crucial is for Myrtle Beach seniors to seek shade (and ideally, stay in air-conditioned areas) when the UV and heat indices become too high. Aside from UV protection, it can help safeguard them from heat-related illnesses (HRIs).
Eat Lots of Fruits and Veggies
Fresh fruits and veggies can help ensure you get enough vitamins and minerals that your entire body and eyes need for optimal function. They contain antioxidants, which help maintain good eye health. Researchers of a study published in Frontiers.org also state that they may help mitigate age-related cognitive decline.
Don’t Let Cataracts Get in the Way of Your Senior Life
So, can cataracts come back after surgery? No, they cannot, but secondary cataracts or posterior capsular opacification may still occur post-surgery. It may lead to symptoms similar to those of regular cataracts.
Fortunately, both primary and secondary cataracts are curable, and in many cases, even preventable.
At TerraBella Myrtle Beach, our primary goal is to provide residents with high-quality independent living with supportive services that foster optimal health and well-being. We’ve been an exceptional retirement haven for years, delivering top-notch amenities, from chef-prepared meals to tailored supportive solutions, daily activities, and spacious, well-appointed senior apartments. We look forward to doing the same for you or your aging loved one.
Call us today to schedule a tour of our senior living community in Myrtle Beach, SC!
