According to Henry Ford Health, nearly half of the people who hit the age of 80 have cataracts or have already had cataract surgery to remove them. Cataracts are, after all, highly prevalent eye conditions that often occur as people age.
If you or an older loved one in Anderson, SC, has cataracts, the only way to remove them is through surgery. The good news is that the procedure also restores optimal vision. It replaces the natural lens with a synthetic lens.
So, does that mean the results are permanent? Or can cataracts come back after surgery?
In this informative guide, the kind and caring team at TerraBella Marchbanks, our warm, welcoming retirement village in the historic, peaceful, and family-friendly city of Anderson, SC, will answer those questions. Please read on, as we’ll explore cataract surgery outcomes and share insights into aging and eye health.
Can Cataracts Come Back After Surgery?
No, they cannot.
Cataracts can’t come back after surgery because the process has already removed the natural lens of the eye that has turned cloudy due to cataracts.
To better understand why cataracts don’t come back post-surgery, it’s crucial to know that these cloudy or hazy spots in the eyes are, in essence, broken-down natural fibers and proteins that clump together over time. Their accumulation on the lens is what leads to cataracts forming.
In seniors who’ve had cataract surgery, an artificial lens has replaced their surgically removed one. Since the replacement consists of synthetic materials, it shouldn’t have natural fibers or proteins that can disintegrate and form cloudy patches on the lens. For the same reason, an eye that has undergone surgery and synthetic lens replacement should no longer develop cataracts.
What About Cataract-Like Symptoms After Surgery?
While cataracts shouldn’t return to an eye whose lens has had cataract surgery and artificial lens replacement, it may still develop a post-procedure condition known as “posterior capsular opacification” (PCO). PCO, also sometimes called “secondary cataracts,” can mimic cataract-like senior eyesight changes.
What Is PCO?
While some call PCO secondary cataracts, it affects the posterior lens capsule of the eye, not the artificial lens placed during cataract surgery.
The posterior lens capsule forms the back surface of the lens capsule of the eye. It’s a thin, transparent membrane. In individuals who’ve undergone cataract surgery, this capsule contains the artificial lens.
PCO may occur in seniors who’ve had their initial cataracts surgically removed if some of their previous natural lens’s epithelial cells stayed and remained in the posterior lens capsule. Epithelial cells are a type of tissue that forms a continuous sheet and covers the body’s many surfaces. They’re alive and quick to proliferate (reproduce).
So, in the eyes of a person who’s had cataract surgery, having remaining epithelial cells means having a possibility of experiencing cataract-like symptoms. The rapidly multiplying cells can:
- Create clusters
- Cloud the eye’s lens capsule
- Deter light from reaching the eyes’ retina
In that way, the cell clusters can impair vision, causing the lens capsule to turn opaque and the eyesight to become cloudy or hazy.
Not all seniors who’ve undergone cataract surgery will develop PCO. However, the Cleveland Clinic says that within five years of having the procedure, secondary cataracts impact around half of all people who’ve had the surgery.
Do Seniors Need Another Cataract Surgery to Treat PCO?
While PCO is prevalent, the good news is that it’s easily treatable. The treatment, known as Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) laser capsulotomy, differs from cataract surgery and is also much quicker. As WebMD explains, it’s a type of painless in-office laser surgery that takes just around 5 minutes!
The procedure involves using eye drops to numb the affected eye/s. YAG lasers then create a tiny hole in the lens capsule that has become cloudy. The laser-created hole allows light to pass through the artificial lens, resulting in the recovery of clear vision.
Can Anderson Seniors Prevent Cataracts?
Cataracts aren’t 100% preventable, but there are still things seniors can do to minimize their risk. Here are some actionable strategies for eye health protection and better vision care for older adults in Anderson, SC.
Use Protective Eyewear
Cataracts are more likely to develop in people who’ve had prolonged, unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The sun’s potent rays can speed up the deterioration of the proteins in the eyes’ lenses. For this reason, it’s imperative for everyone, especially seniors, to wear eye protection before heading out to enjoy Anderson, South Carolina’s attractions, lovely summer days, and majestic outdoors.
For example, older adults should always wear sunglasses offering 100% UV protection or a UV 400 rating. A wide-brimmed hat that shields the face and neck can also help. Please don’t forget to apply sunscreen and hydrate often to avoid UV dangers and heat risks.
Eat With Eye Health in Mind
A balanced diet packed with eye-friendly vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can help protect the eyes and lower the likelihood of cataract development. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), these include:
- Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Dark green leafy veggies, persimmons, and tangerines
- Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, green peppers, strawberries, and tomatoes
- Vitamin E: Vegetable oils like corn and safflower, sweet potatoes, nuts, and wheat germ
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Cold-water fish, including salmon and tuna
- Zinc: Red meat, shellfish, nuts, and seeds
At TerraBella Marchbanks, we make diet-based eye support in assisted living readily available. Our senior living community in Anderson, SC, takes pride in its exclusive Sensations Dining program. Residents can enjoy nutritious, well-balanced, chef-made meals prepared from scratch every single day.
Don’t Let Cataracts Take Your Vision Away
So, can cataracts come back after surgery? No, they cannot.
However, cataract-like symptoms from PCO may still occur post-surgery. Fortunately, PCO, like primary cataracts, is treatable. Seniors can also lower their risks for such conditions.
At TerraBella Marchbanks, our top goal is to ensure residents enjoy high-quality, personalized care and support 24/7 and amenities that foster optimal well-being, including nutritious meals, socialization, and physical activity. We achieve this by giving them access to exclusive programs, such as Sensations Dining, Celebrations Activities & Events, and Dimensions Health & Wellness, to name a few. We happily look forward to doing the same for you or your older loved one.
Call us today and schedule a tour of our retirement village in Anderson, SC!
