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Healthcare Services Ophthalmology General Ophthalmology Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. It is a natural process and happens as we age. Most people will develop some form of cataract as they grow older, but there are many variables which can hasten cataract development. Common risk factors for earlier cataracts include family history, nutrition, sunlight exposure, prior eye surgery or diseases, eye trauma, and systemic diseases such as diabetes. If a cataract is present, the decision to proceed with cataract surgery depends on both the ophthalmology exam and the patient’s visual needs.

Cataract surgery has seen great advancements over the past decade, and has become one of the most delicate and technologically advanced areas of surgery. The University of Florida Eye Institute offers advanced cataract surgery techniques in its ambulatory surgery center. Several qualified, board-certified ophthalmologists routinely perform this procedure at the UF Eye Institute.

Not all cataracts are the same. Some common forms of cataract include:

  • Anterior subcapsular
  • Cortical
  • Nuclear
  • Posterior subcapsular
  • Traumatic
  • Toxic or drug induced

UF Department of Ophthalmology at Shands Jacksonville: A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in the lens of the eye. Cataracts can cause visual problems such as difficulty seeing at night, seeing halos around lights, and sensitivity to glare.

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