Nonsurgical Treatment Option for Cataracts

When the crystal lens of the eye has lost its clarity, how shall it be made clear again? And if it does not admit the light of the world, what good is it?

Traditionally, the only treatment available for the obscuring of the eye's lenses with cataracts was the removal of the lens. This procedure has been practiced in some form or another since the 5th century BC. Early cataract procedures merely pushed the lens out of the way using a stick, called "couching." This was later improved to breaking the lens up into smaller pieces so it could be absorbed. Finally in 1748, the first successful lens removal was performed, though anesthesia was not added to the procedure for another century. Since the 1960s the implantation of intraocular lenses to replace the removed lens has allowed people to have very good vision after cataract surgery, but there still exists no nonsurgical option for treating cataracts without removing the eye's clear lens.

Now, though, such a treatment may be on the horizon. Researchers at Glostrup Hospital of the University of Copenhagen have reported using femtosecond lasers in the infra-red range to bleach the cloudy lens of the eye. They reported that treated areas showed a lightening of cataracts and an increased transmission of light equivalent to an optical rejuvenation of 3 to 7 years.

Although the technology is a long way from seeing clinical application, the researchers imagine it could make a huge difference in parts of the world where access to cataract surgery is very limited. Treatments could be performed by a mobile automated cataract clinic that could travel to isolated villages to perform cataract surgery without the need for an extensive surgical suite, a skilled cataract surgeon, and support staff.

Until this procedure becomes available, though, cataract surgery remains the only viable treatment option for a cloudy lens. If your vision is being impacted by cataracts, you should talk to a local ophthalmologist to learn more about corrective surgery.