Cataract development is almost universal. But for over half of people over the age of 60, their vision has become impacted by their cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye, causing vision loss that cannot be corrected with any treatment other than surgery to remove the cataract-clouded lens and replace it with an artificial lens.
We perform cataract surgery at Central Valley Eye Medical Group.
What causes cataracts to form?
The basic cause of the clouding of the lens is protein. As protein builds up in the lens it becomes cloudy. As this progresses, the lens becomes more and more cloudy and your vision in that eye can seem as if you are looking through a dirty window.
These are the general reasons cataracts form:
- Diabetes— People with diabetes have a higher risk.
- UV radiation— This is the main reason. A lifetime of sun exposure and its UV radiation is shown to trigger the protein buildup of cataracts.
- Drugs— Corticosteroids and phenothiazine-related medications have links to accelerated cataract development.
- Smoking— Cigarette smoking seems to increase cataract development.
How will I know if I have a cataract?
Cataracts develop slowly as the protein builds. Most people have no idea they have a cataract in an eye as they simply don’t notice the gradual change. But when these symptoms start to show up, you’ll know:
- Vision that is cloudy, blurry, or filmy
- Diminished color vividness
- Nearsightedness
- Problems with glare and night driving
- Glare during the day
- Double vision in the cataract-affected eye
- Decreased effectiveness of eyeglasses or contact lenses
Can you treat cataracts?
The only treatment for cataracts is surgery to remove the clouded lens and replace it with what is called an intraocular lens (IOL). This sounds scary, but it is actually the most successful surgery performed around the world every year. It is a quick procedure; recovery is not difficult; and your vision improves dramatically. Today’s IOL choices can offer vision at all distances and may even fix presbyopia (the need for reading glasses for up close vision after the age of 40).
Are you ready to do something about your cloudy vision? Call us at Central Valley Eye Medical Group, (800) 244-9907, and let’s talk about cataract surgery.
