What are cataracts?
A cataract is a common vision-related health problem that causes the normally clear lens of your eye to become cloudy. Impaired vision caused by cataracts can make it difficult to drive (especially at night) or to see the expression on a loved one’s face.
Most cataracts develop slowly over an extended period of time. At first, you might not notice any changes at all. However, as your cataracts get worse, surgical intervention may be necessary, both to prevent blindness and to improve your quality of life.
What are the symptoms of cataracts?
Cataracts affect people of all ages, races, and genders, but certain factors may increase your risk, including:
- Blurry vision
- Clouded vision
- Dimmed vision
- Seeing “halos” around lights
- Sensitivity to lights and glare
- Double vision in a single eye
If you have cataracts, you might also need brighter light to read, sew, or perform other routine tasks.
What causes cataracts?
Most of the time, cataracts occur as a result of the natural aging process. They can also form as a result of damage to the tissue that makes up your eye’s lens. Other common causes of cataracts include inherited genetic disorders, past eye surgery, and chronic medical conditions like diabetes.
Who is at risk of developing cataracts?
Cataracts affect people of all ages, races, and genders, but there are certain factors that may increase your risk, including:
- Being middle-aged or older
- Smoking
- Being overweight
- Having high blood pressure
- Having a previous eye injury
You're also more likely to develop cataracts if you have diabetes.
How are cataracts diagnosed?
To diagnose cataracts, your Iris Eye Care & Contact Lens Gallery Provider reviews your medical history, asks questions about your symptoms, and conducts a thorough eye exam. During your exam, your doctor does several tests, including a visual acuity test, a slit-lamp examination, and a retinal exam. Usually, these measures are enough to determine if you have cataracts.
How are cataracts treated?
If your cataracts are small and only cause minor side-effects, your eye doctor might recommend correcting your vision with contacts or eyeglasses. However, if these methods don’t improve your vision, your only other treatment option is surgery.
During cataract surgery, your eye doctor carefully removes your clouded, damaged lens and replaces it with a clear artificial lens. This type of surgery is safe and boasts a proven track record of success.
To learn more about your treatment options for cataracts, make an appointment at Iris Eye Care & Contact Lens Gallery today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.
