Cataract treatment in the beginning of the 21st century

PURPOSE: To describe the principles upon which present day cataract treatment success resides. DESIGN: Literature review and collective experience of the authors. RESULTS: Surgical removal remains the standard treatment for cataract now and in the foreseeable future. Ultrasound cataract removal with a foldable "in-the-bag" intraocular lens with a truncated edge treated for dysphotopsia best correlates with core treatment principles, as we now understand them. Improving refractive results is an important trend. The worldwide burden of this problem is immense. CONCLUSIONS: While results for treatment of cataracts are excellent today, improvements in safety and refraction precision are needed. Other approaches are desperately needed to stem the worldwide tide of cataract related ocular dysfunction. (Am J Ophthalmol 2003; 136:146-154. (C) 2003 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.).