Failing eyesight can be an incredibly scary prospect. Cataracts affect a huge number of people every year, but thankfully, they can be treated with surgery. Whether you suspect that you might have cataracts or your doctor has told you that you have cataracts, you might be confused, worried, or just curious about how cataracts work. To help you out, here is an overview of what cataracts are and how they are treated.
What is a cataract?
The eye is composed of several parts that work together. When one such part (the lens) becomes cloudy, vision can suffer severely as a result. The clouding of the lens can make colors seem less vivid, create difficulties with the perception of bright lights, and can just weaken your vision in general.
How can you tell if you have cataracts?
If you have a problem with your vision, then the first thing that you should do is visit your eye doctor. There are many different conditions that affect the eyes, and some are treatable while some are not. Additionally, some conditions should be caught early in order to allow for a time-sensitive treatment regimen. Therefore, the only way to determine whether or not you really have cataracts is to pay a visit to your eye doctor.
What are the risk factors?
Although anyone can get cataracts, they are mostly common in the elderly and as a genetic factor. Some individuals are born with cataracts, while others might never develop them. In rarer cases, individuals who have been exposed to radiation may develop cataracts.
On the other hand, some substances, diseases, and surgeries can also increase the risk for cataracts. Alcohol and tobacco consumption and diabetes may increase risk of cataracts later in life. Unfortunately, some surgical procedures on the eyes can also lead directly to cataracts, especially if there was some error in the procedure.
What is the treatment?
The most common treatment for cataracts is phacoemulsification. In this process, you are given anesthetic, small cuts are made into the eye, a small instrument is used to deliver ultrasound waves to the lens, and then the problematic matter is sucked out. The whole process is relatively painless and usually takes less than an hour. This means that you can get your cataracts dealt with quickly and easily with minimal downtime.
Cataracts can develop very slowly over time and you might not even realize that you have a problem. Dealing with them quickly and efficiently is your safest and best bet. Talk to your eye doctor to learn more about cataract surgery.
Share1 September 2015
Growing up, one of my best friends was also my cousin. This special cousin and I shared something in common. We both had fiery red hair. When we were kids, many people thought we were sisters when they saw us together. Sadly, my cousin was born with crossed eyes, and because of her condition, she was often ridiculed by the other kids at school. As we grew older we began researching modern ways to correct her problem. Together we found the perfect solution. If you were born with crossed eyes, don’t despair. You do have hope. On this blog, you will discover the latest treatments optometrists use to help cure a patient’s crossed eyes.
