Cataracts
Many people over the age of 60 can suffer from vision impairment due to cataracts. In fact, almost everyone develops cataracts as they grow older. Aging and other factors cause proteins in the eye’s lens to bond to one another and form cloudy areas in the eye. This clouding impedes light passing through the eye to the retina. Cataracts classically result in blurry vision and light sensitivity. Individuals with cataracts often experience the feeling of looking through a glass of water or wax paper.
Addressing Cataracts
Cataracts progress slowly over time and the loss of vision can be surgically repaired. Cataract surgery is designed to reverse the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. The most common procedure used for removing cataracts is called phacoemulsification. A small incision is made in the side of the cornea (the front part of your eye) and a tiny instrument uses high-frequency ultrasound to break up the center of the cloudy lens and carefully suction it out. Your lens is then replaced with a synthetic lens that becomes a permanent part of your eye. You will be instructed to use eyedrops and to protect your eyes from bright lights while you are recovering from the procedure. You may experience some blurred vision a few days to a week after your surgery.
Common Symptoms of Cataracts
- decreasing vision with age
- blurred or double vision
- difficulty seeing at night
- difficulty distinguishing colors
- poor depth perception
- halos around bright lights
- suffering from vision that worsens in sunlight
- frequent prescription changes for glasses
- difficulty reading
We conduct cataract sensitivity tests if you believe you may have cataracts. Cataract surgery may restore clarity to your vision and may alleviate some of the above-listed symptoms. For more information regarding cataract surgery, please do not hesitate to contact us.