Yes, cataracts, which involve the clouding of the eye's natural lens, do tend to harden over time, particularly as they advance.
Understanding Cataract Progression
Cataracts develop gradually, causing the lens inside your eye to become less transparent. This clouding progresses through different stages, leading to increasingly blurred or dim vision.
As a cataract matures, changes occur within the lens itself. The proteins within the lens clump together, leading to the opacification. This process also affects the physical properties of the lens.
According to insights into cataract development, the final stage of cataracts, not only will your vision be almost completely obscured but the lens will also have hardened, making it harder to remove during cataract surgery.
Impact of Lens Hardening on Cataract Surgery
The hardening of the lens in advanced cataracts is a significant factor for ophthalmologists performing cataract surgery. The procedure typically involves breaking up the cloudy lens using ultrasound energy (phacoemulsification) and removing the pieces.
- Increased Energy Requirement: A harder lens requires more ultrasound energy to break apart.
- Longer Procedure Time: More challenging cases involving very hard cataracts may take longer.
- Potential Surgical Risks: While modern surgery is very safe, dealing with a harder lens can, in some cases, slightly increase certain risks compared to removing a softer lens.
Because of this, surgeons often recommend surgery before the cataract becomes excessively hard, optimizing the procedure's efficiency and outcomes.
