Saving Your Vision From Cataracts
Cataracts are a common eye disorder among older people. Areas of the lens of the eye become clouded due to clustering of proteins in the lens. This cloudiness can limit and eventually obscure the vision.
What Causes Cataracts?
Doctors aren’t certain what causes the clustering of proteins in the lenses of the eyes which leads to cataracts. Some possible causes include:
· Diabetes
· Exposure to ultraviolet light
· Smoking
· Alcohol
While these appear to be risk factors, none has been narrowed down as a definite cause. Age is a factor, as well—over half of all Americans over the age of eighty have cataracts or have had cataract surgery.
What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?
Some common symptoms of cataracts include:
· Blurry or clouded vision
· Faded colors
· Haloing around lights, especially at night
· Generally declining night vision
· Double vision
If you have to change your eyeglasses prescriptions frequently, this indicates rapid changes in your vision, and might be a sign that you are developing cataracts. However, any of these symptoms could indicate other conditions, so consult your ophthalmologist if you experience any changes in your vision.
How are Cataracts Treated?
In their early stages, cataracts can be treated with eyeglasses, magnifying glasses, or increased lighting. As the condition progresses, however, these measures are no longer sufficient. When the cataract or cataracts have worsened enough to affect your everyday life, making it difficult to drive, read, or otherwise perform daily tasks, surgery is probably necessary.
Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded lens from the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens. The artificial lens focuses light in the same way as your natural lens, restoring your vision to normal. Surgery is usually an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthetic, and often you can return to your normal activities the next day.
It’s possible to live with a cataract for a number of years without needing to undergo surgery. Careful evaluation at regular visits to your eye doctor can help you monitor the condition of your eyes to determine when and if cataract surgery is necessary.
Dr. Robert Filer, MD
, is a board certified ophthalmologist who performs cataract surgeries in the San Francisco, California, area. If you are experiencing blurred vision or any other vision difficulties, please
About the Author
Dr. Robert Filer, MD, is a board certified ophthalmologist who performs cataract surgeries in the San Francisco, California, area. If you are experiencing blurred vision or any other vision difficulties, please contact us at our San Mateo, California offices (800-481-4171) to schedule an appointment or a consultation. We can evaluate your condition and see if you need to be treated for cataracts or any other issues.
Tags: cost, hair, injections, restylane, surgery,