Medical expert of the article
New publications
Myths and facts about cataracts
Last reviewed: 30.06.2025

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Just a few years ago, for many people over 60, the diagnosis of cataract sounded like a death sentence. Cataract is an insidious disease and usually develops slowly, so a person does not immediately notice that he has developed such a nasty ailment and is in no hurry to see a doctor. But this is wrong, because only a highly qualified ophthalmologist can detect cataracts at an early stage, in the shortest possible time, eliminating the disease. There are a huge number of myths and speculations about cataracts. Today, Excimer dispels myths - after all, we know everything about vision...:)
Myth #1: Cataracts are not a serious disease.
This is indeed a myth, because cataracts are one of the most serious eye diseases that most often affect older people. Of course, cataracts can also occur in young people, but most likely this will be a consequence of damage to the lens due to injuries, ultraviolet radiation, exposure to certain chemicals, etc.
The human eye's crystalline lens is a "natural lens". It is transparent and elastic - it can change its shape, almost instantly "focusing", due to which a person sees well both near and far. With cataracts, there is a partial or complete clouding of the lens. Due to the violation of the transparency of the lens, only a small part of the light rays begins to enter the eye, so a person sees unclearly and blurrily, especially in bright light. Over the years, the disease progresses: the area of clouding increases and vision decreases.
In the advanced stage of cataract, the swollen lens begins to occupy most of the anterior chamber of the eye, thus disrupting the outflow of intraocular fluid. As a result, intraocular pressure increases and glaucoma develops. This is very dangerous, since without treatment, vision is irreversibly lost.
Myth #2. Cataracts can be cured with folk medicine and without surgery
Today, there are no medications in modern medicine that can restore the transparency of the lens. Its clouding is an irreversible process of the proteins it contains, which cannot be eliminated by diet, special massage, or any folk remedies. There is only one way out - surgery, ophthalmologists around the world believe.
Myth #3. The operation is very long.
In modern ophthalmology, the most effective, fast and painless method of treating cataracts is phacoemulsification surgery with implantation of an artificial lens. The surgery takes about 15 minutes, is performed under local anesthesia and the patient does not experience any discomfort. The surgery can be divided into several stages: first, the ophthalmic surgeon creates a micro-incision of about 3 mm using a diamond instrument and performs all further manipulations through it. Then, with a special probe and ultrasound, the lens is converted into an emulsion and removed from the eye. Through the micro-incision, a flexible lens in a folded state is inserted into the capsule where the lens was previously located, which independently unfolds inside the eye and is securely fixed. After such surgery, no suturing is required, since the micro-incision is self-sealing.
Myth #4: After surgery, you need to stay in the hospital for a long time
Don't be afraid, you won't have to stay in the hospital. At the Excimer clinic, cataract surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, that is, without hospitalization, and the patient returns home the same day. Restrictions on physical activity are minimal, and recovery is painless. Before phacoemulsification, all this was impossible. Only modern technology has made it possible to achieve such good results.
Myth #5: You'll still need to wear glasses
You will begin to see well enough in just a few hours, and maximum visual acuity is restored within a period of 2 days to 1 week. When you come to Eximer with a diagnosis of cataract, they will help you not only get rid of the disease, but also restore your vision, achieving the maximum possible acuity, painlessly and effectively, while avoiding complications and restrictions on physical activity after the recovery period.
The Excimer ophthalmology clinic uses the most modern achievement of world ophthalmology in the field of cataract treatment - multifocal lenses. The undoubted advantage of multifocal lenses is that they allow you to achieve equally good vision without using glasses both at a distance and at close range, since they have not one, but several focuses, which makes it possible to see objects located at different distances well. You will no longer have to use glasses when reading and working with small objects.
At the Eximer ophthalmology clinic, qualified specialists will rid you of cataracts and glasses, providing comfortable vision in any situation. At Eximer, we are confident that cataracts are not a death sentence.
If you have problems with your vision, you will find everything you need on the excimer website. We will tell you about what eye diseases there are and, most importantly, how they are treated, and answer all your questions (ask an ophthalmologist). The website has a separate page for expectant mothers, dedicated to vision and pregnancy problems. And also for those who work a lot on the computer (vision and computer). We will tell you what eye exercises can restore vision and how to maintain lighting hygiene.
Excimer doctors aim to make ophthalmological care even more accessible to those who need it. The clinic offers discount cards. Each patient undergoes a full computer diagnostic examination. When booking an appointment through the clinic's website, a 5% discount is provided on a full computer vision diagnostic with a consultation with an ophthalmologist.
We will be happy to help you.
Contacts:
Excimer Clinic,
Kiev, Dimitrova St., 5-B
Tel. (044) 238-6800