Age-related cataracts are a leading cause of vision loss. A cataract is where the lens in your eye becomes cloudy over time, which leaves you with blurry vision.

Doctors treat it by taking out the cloudy lens and putting in an artificial one that's clear. Now there is a new technique for removing that lens.

To remove cataracts, Dr. Raymond Nisi uses a new instrument called AquaLase. It breaks up and removes the cataract using pulses of water.

The traditional technique is similar, but uses ultrasound waves instead of water. This can be damaging to the eye.

"Ultrasound energy can cause friction heat. This can cause a corneal burn which is rare but it can happen. AquaLase is a little more friendly to the eye, gentle to the eye," explains Dr. Nisi.

Which can mean a faster recovery. The end result is the same -- the difference is with the AquaLase you can expect to see clearly sooner.

The possible complications are the same as any cataract procedure and Dr. Nisi recommends the AquaLase only for mild to moderate cataracts. The traditional method is still best if your cataract severely is thickened.

The surgery itself takes only about 15 minutes and most people are back to work the next day.

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Question from : Deanna

I have a bump on my eye on the side towards my nose. It appears red and irritated and the bump is yellow in color. It does not itch or burn, but looks horrible. Can you please explain this?

Dr. Webber:

It sounds like a Pinguecula, which is a fatty tissue deposit that gets bigger with UV light stimulation. Use artificial tears, and sunglasses. If it gets red then you can also apply cool compresses as often as needed. If it gets worse then see your eye doctor.

According to a report published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, analysis of samples taken from the tear ducts of three patients who were newly-infected with probable SARS showed the presence of the coronavirus.

Dr. Seng Chee Loon of the National University Hospital in Singapore says the finding could lead to an important diagnostic tool.

"This is the first case series reported with the detection of the SARS coronavirus from tears and has important implications for the practice of ophthalmology and medicine," Dr Loon says in the report.

Because the sampling and analysis of tears is relatively easy, Loon says its presence in tears could be an important development in early detection.

  Red wine and beer both contain flavonoids and polyphenols that offer antioxidant protection from the free radicals that can cause cataracts. In a University of Western Ontario study, researchers served people different amounts of red wine, beer, and stout, then measured their antioxidant blood levels.

Their finding: Consuming one drink daily may reduce the risk of cataracts by 50 percent, regardless of the libation. "Even though red wine contains a lot more flavonoids, it didn't produce any more antioxidants in the blood than did the stout or beer;" says John Trevithick, Ph.D., the study author.

But while you can pick your poison, you shouldn't overdo it; the study showed that having three or more drinks daily was related to an increase of up to 40 percent in the risk of cataracts. When your body metabolizes alcohol, it produces free radicals, which is why drinking too much booze undoes the antioxidant benefit.

Men's Health

Your eye expands up to 45% when looking at something pleasing.