Table of Contents
Introduction
Of all the eye conditions that people experience as they get older, cataracts are notable for being the most common. Cataracts develop because the lens in a person’s eyes start getting cloudy. From that point on, your eyesight gradually starts getting blurry, you have trouble seeing clearly at night, and lights seem to have a glaring halo around them.
Not only are cataracts caused by aging, but they can also be caused by diabetes, being exposed to Ultraviolet light from the sun, sun lamps, or even tanning beds. That being said, this is a condition that is easily treatable. Cataract surgery is the most safe and effective procedure.
To keep your vision in the best possible condition, it is important to learn all that you can about cataracts – what they are, how they start, when surgery is recommended, and recovery from cataract surgery. Armed with this information, people will be in a much better position to make well-thought-out decisions.
What Are Cataracts and How Do They Develop?
Cataracts develop when the lens of a person’s eye starts getting cloudy. The lens of the eye contains certain proteins that start deteriorating for several reasons, such as natural aging, unprotected exposure to the sun, certain medications, family history, and more. It is this deterioration of the eye proteins that causes them to clump together, thus interfering with eyesight. Because of the disintegration of these proteins, vision becomes unclear, blurry, and quite light-sensitive. Being able to see things clearly at night starts becoming a real problem.
Although cataracts are not preventable, it is possible to slow their development and diagnose them at an early stage. Having regular eye examinations and developing healthy lifestyle habits make a big difference in helping nip them in the bud.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Cataracts?
Because cataracts progress quite gradually, the early warning signs might not be noticed – but becoming familiar with their symptoms will be helpful in finding quality vision care so that your vision will not become worse.
- Eyesight has become blurred and cloudy
- Night vision is no longer clear
- Eyes start becoming very sensitive to light and glare
- People often see halos around lights – both street and indoor lights
- Fading or yellowing of colors. Colors become less vibrant, they seem to fade and turn yellowish
- Constant need for new prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Seeing double
- Difficulty reading or even recognizing people’s faces
- Things start to look dull and unclear
- The need for a stronger light or even squinting to be able to read or see photographs clearly
Anyone who experiences any of these symptoms should contact their eye doctor for tests, diagnosis, and early intervention to save their precious eyesight.
Who Is Most at Risk for Developing Cataracts?
How Are Cataracts Diagnosed?
An eye care professional diagnoses cataracts using a visual acuity test. This test measures your ability to see things from different distances. The doctor uses a slit-lamp exam, which magnifies the makeup of your eye structures so that he is able to look at the lens to find any cloudiness that might be apparent.
An optometrist or ophthalmologist might also give you a retinal examination. For this test, you are given eye drops that dilate the eye pupils so that he can better see what is going on at the back of the eyes. Another part of the comprehensive test is what is called a tonometry test. This is a test that measures the amount of pressure that might be inside your eyes or at the front of your eyes, which is where cataracts actually begin to appear.
Can Cataracts Be Prevented?
What Are the Treatment Options for Cataracts?
We have several treatments that are used depending on how severe your condition has gotten. Perhaps the cataracts are now impeding your day-to-day activities. When cataracts begin to form, the changes in your vision may be so minor that you don’t really notice that something is off. In that case, just a simple adjustment to your eyeglass prescription may be all that is needed. It might also be suggested that you get anti-glare glasses or just use brighter light for your indoor activities.
However, as time goes by, you begin to realize that cataracts have a much greater impact on your life. At that point, you no longer feel comfortable driving, particularly at night. You may also have difficulty recognizing people’s faces. When that happens, surgery is usually recommended. It is a very common procedure in which the normal eye lens is taken out and replaced with a new, clear lens that is artificial. Most people see immediate improvement in their eyesight very soon after the surgery, and complications are generally quite rare. Because of the very high success rate, and the fast time for recovery, cataract surgery is the preferred treatment choice.
When Should You See an Eye Doctor About Cataracts?
FAQs
How Can Golden Vision Help You with Cataracts?
Here at Golden Vision, we offer complete vision care services. We use several advanced tools for diagnosis and treatment plans designed especially to treat your cataracts. Our optometrists and ophthalmologists will evaluate how far your cataracts have already developed, we will monitor any changes that occur, and we will walk you through all possible treatments, including cataract surgery if we feel that it has become necessary. Using all of the most advanced eyecare tools available, we will do all in our power to help you retain and return some of your vision.
Reach out to Golden Vision and book an appointment for personalized advice and support tailored to your unique needs.
