Cataractscauses, symptoms, and treatments, Los Angeles

Text size:
Last updated 5/8/2023
Cataract Conditions, Assil Gaur Eye Institute Los Angeles

With cataracts, vision becomes cloudy. blurry, hazy, and/or less colorful.

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding or yellowing of the eye lens that negatively impacts vision. Cataracts progress slowly and gradually the cloudy area in the lens gets bigger and makes it hard to see.

 

Once a cataract reduces your vision, no medications, eye drops, glasses or exercises can reverse the process. The only way to treat a cataract is to surgically remove the damaged lens and replace it with a new clear lens.

 

Most cataracts are linked to age, so much so that by age 80, more than half of all Americans will be in one or both eyes. This makes cataract surgery one of the most popular surgeries in America every year.

What causes cataracts?

 

Unfortunately, the exact cause of cataracts is unknown. That said, certain risk factors have been shown to be associated with the development of cataracts. These fall into the following four groups:

 

Age-related cataracts

Most cataracts are related to aging. More than half of all Americans age 65 and older have a cataract.

 

Secondary cataract

Cataracts are more likely to develop in people who have eye diseases resulting from diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking, prolonged steroid use, take certain cholesterol medications, hormone replacement therapy, or abuse alcohol, all of which can affect eye health.

 

Congenital cataract

Some babies are born with cataracts or develop them in childhood, often in both eyes. These cataracts may not affect vision. If they do, they may need to be promptly removed to prevent permanent vision loss.

 

Traumatic cataract

Your risk of cataracts can increase soon after an eye injury, or years late

 

What are the symptoms of Cataracts?

  • Cloudy or blurred vision
  • Light and glare sensitivity
  • Difficulty with night vision
  • Fading or yellowing tint of colors
  • Seeing halos around lights
  • Need for better lighting for reading
  • Frequent changes to an eyeglass prescription

 

Can cataracts be treated without surgery?

Yes and No.  If caught early, cataract treatment is aimed at improving your quality of vision. When cataract symptoms appear, you may experience cloudy or blurry vision, light sensitivity, poor night vision, double vision, and so on.

 

So changes in your eyewear prescription can be improved with new eyeglasses, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses. Certain lens tints and coatings can be added to lenses to reduce symptoms.  Even better positioning of lamps or reading lights can help.

Your eye doctor may recommend that you wear a hat when outdoors in addition to quality sunglasses to help prevent further cataract development. Additionally, certain lifestyle changes may improve your vision enough to delay cataract surgery.

 

But nothing except surgical removal of cataracts is going to solve the problem and is, in the end, almost always recommended when your vision loss interferes with everyday activities, such as driving, reading, or watching TV.

How cataract surgery is performed?

Modern cataract surgery is performed by making a small incision in the eye through which the cataract is dissolved using a tiny ultrasound probe and then removed with gentle suction. Next, a new, perfectly clear, permanent lens is put in its place. This conventional approach is very quick, virtually painless, involves no bleeding, and typically uses no sutures.

 

About our cataract lasers 

At Assil Gaur Eye Institute we go beyond the conventional surgical approach by offering a laser treatment approach designed to make the procedure safer and result in faster visual recovery. At Assil Gaur Eye Institute, we perform Cataract Surgery using both the iFS and the LensAR™ Femtosecond Laser Systems. The LensAR™ System provides the most revolutionary breakthrough of any laser cataract technology to date.

 

Just as we are the only ophthalmology center in greater Los Angeles to feature two sets of LASIK Lasers for vision correction, we’re the only center to offer two types of Laser systems for cataract treatment.1Dr. Assil selected the LensAR™ Femtosecond Laser System as the lead surgical laser for our patients because it provides the most revolutionary breakthrough of any laser cataract technology to date. The LensAR™ system’s unique ability to directly and precisely define the cataract's size and shape, without reliance on extrapolating (estimating) algorithms used by earlier laser technology, renders the LensAR™ system the most precise and safest method for cataract removal today.

 

The ORA System™ 

The ORA System™ is a cutting-edge technology that allows our doctors to take an intra-operative picture of the eye after the new intraocular lens (IOL) has been inserted to verify that the nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism (eyeglass prescription) has been corrected and that therefore the appropriate strength IOL has been inserted. This technology has dramatically improved cataract surgery outcomes because, for the first time ever, the surgeon is able to correct the eye prescription in “real-time” during the procedure, thus freeing many patients from needing eyeglasses, often for the first time in their lives.

 

Dr. Assil is perhaps the world's foremost authority on the ORA SYSTEM and was the first physician to use the ORA System™ technology beginning in 2008. He currently serves on the Medical Advisory Board of its developer WaveTec®.

 

The Assil Gaur Eye Institute advantage

When you select Assil Gaur Eye Institute for your cataract removal, you will benefit not only from our state-of-the-art laser technology and our physicians' experience but also from our commitment to:

 

Employing the most comprehensive pre-operative testing available today in order to ensure the greatest surgical accuracy, by using multiple measuring systems to measure eye power and replacement lens size.

 

Utilizing micro incisional technology to facilitate faster corneal healing and recovery time. This technology permits cataract removal through a 2mm opening (most other centers are using entry sites that are approximately 50% larger).

 

Operating using leading-edge “cold” and “ellipse” ultrasound technology, which Dr. Assil's research has demonstrated results in less post-op intraocular swelling, providing greater safety, efficacy, and faster visual recovery for our patients.

 

Offering the most comprehensive inventory of Intraocular lenses available today, to ensure the best product type and shape match for your eye.

 

Dedicating ourselves to your care. Your surgeon will remain personally involved in your post-operative examinations throughout your healing. While full visual recovery may take several weeks to stabilize, most people see better and resume all normal activities the day after surgery.

2099 Total 1st Party Reviews
4.9 out of 5 Stars
  • Google
    My wife has been an Assil patient for over 15 years and absolutely loves them! I started as a patient about two months ago and...
    John V.
  • GatherUp
    The office staff were courteous and friendly. The doctor was very informative and thorough. I really appreciate how kind the do...
    Catherine F.
  • Google
    I was referred here by my optometrist when I had a high eye pressure reading. I am very happy with the care I received at the ...
    Raleigh R.
  • GatherUp
    Best Doctor ever
    Afsaneh A.
  • Google
    I find the staff and the doctors superb and feel that they communicate extremely well, show genuine concern for the patient, an...
    Larry S.
  • GatherUp
    This is a wonderful experience every time I have come and the great care and professionalism is appreciated
    Maria D.
  • GatherUp
    You guys are fantastic. Always take good care of me.
    Joseph T.
  • GatherUp
    Great service
    Emma C.
  • GatherUp
    Dr. Sodhi Gaur and all staff continue to extend their warm concern and care for my needs.
    Sharyn A.
  • GatherUp
    I am very pleased.
    Aida Y.
  • GatherUp
    Dr. Assil is a skilled and innovative surgeon who is also a compassion and warm person. Personally, I think he is a genius who ...
    Stephanie B.
  • GatherUp
    Excellent and hospitable staff!
    Dimitri S.
Look Who Trusts Their Eyes to Assil Gaur Eye Institute...
  • LeBron James

    Los Angeles Lakers

    LeBron James is one of the NBA's greatest of all time. He absolutely depends on his vision to perform at the very highest level. That's why he's an AGEI LASIK surgery patient.

  • Anthony Davis

    Los Angeles Lakers
  • Chris Paul

    Phoenix Suns
  • Paul George

    Los Angeles Clippers
  • Marlee Matlin

    Actress
  • Michelle Williams

    Actress
  • Dwyane Wade

    Miami Heat (retired)
  • LaToya Jackson

    Entertainer
  • Lorenzo Lamas

    Actor
  • Philip Bailey

    Earth Wind and Fire
  • Gary Sinise

    Actor
  • Rip Hamilton

    Former NBA player
  • John Salley

    Commentator, former NBA player
  • Blair Underwood

    Actor
  • Tom Arnold
    Comedian/Actor
  • Troy Evans
    Actor
  • John Noble
    Actor
  • Isaac Eddy
    Actor/Director/Teacher
  • Barbara Rush
    Actress
  • John Emerson
    US Ambassador to Germany
  • Shane Mosley
    Former professional boxer
  • Cuttino Mobley
    Former NBA player
  • Seth Gordon
    Director
  • Maurice Evans
    Former NBA player
  • Wang Luoyong
    Actor
  • Jesse Metcalfe
    Actor
  • Ananda Lewis
    Television Personality
  • Rob Brydon
    Comedian
  • Clifton Collins Jr.
    Actor
  • Malinda Williams
    Actress
  • Adrienne Frantz
    Actress
  • Brad Pitt
    Actor
  • LeBron James
    Los Angeles Lakers
  • Anthony Davis
    Los Angeles Lakers
  • Chris Paul
    Phoenix Suns
  • Courtney Cox
    Actress
  • Paul George
    Los Angeles Clippers
  • Marlee Matlin
    Actress
  • Michelle Williams
    Actress
  • Dwyane Wade
    Miami Heat (retired)
  • Jalen Brunson
    Dallas Mavericks
  • Mychal Thompson
    Commentator, former NBA player
  • LaToya Jackson
    Entertainer
  • Lorenzo Lamas
    Actor
  • Philip Bailey
    Earth Wind and Fire
  • Gary Sinise
    Actor
  • Rip Hamilton
    Former NBA player
  • John Salley
    Commentator, former NBA player
  • Blair Underwood
    Actor
  • Tom Arnold
    Comedian/Actor
  • Troy Evans
    Actor
  • John Noble
    Actor
  • Isaac Eddy
    Actor/Director/Teacher
  • Barbara Rush
    Actress
  • Rudy Garciduenas
    Blue Man Group
  • John Emerson
    US Ambassador to Germany
  • Shane Mosley
    Former professional boxer
  • Cuttino Mobley
    Former NBA player
  • Seth Gordon
    Director
  • Maurice Evans
    Former NBA player
  • Cheri Blauwet
    Physician and Wheelchair Racer
  • Wang Luoyong
    Actor
  • Jesse Metcalfe
    Actor
  • Jeana Wilson
    Actress
  • Courtnee Draper
    Actress
  • Ananda Lewis
    Television Personality
  • Robyn Johnson
    Producer
  • Rob Brydon
    Comedian
  • Cary Schuman
    Actor
  • Roland Buddy Lewis Jr.
    Comedian
  • Clifton Collins Jr.
    Actor
  • Malinda Williams
    Actress
  • Chad Jeffers
    Musician
  • Adrienne Frantz
    Actress
  • Franco Carlotto
    Body Builder
  • Brad Mates
    Musician
  • David Pichette
    Musician
  • Mike Melacon
    Professional Baseball Player
  • Nautica de la Cruz
    Radio Personality
  • Lynn Conkwright
    Body Builder
  • Nely Galan
    Producer
  • Roxanne Galla
    Actress