How Do Cataracts Affect Your Vision?

Cataracts commonly form as we age and, if left unmonitored and untreated, can lead to serious vision problems and even blindness. They can also form under other circumstances, including certain medical conditions (e.g. hypertension, diabetes), after eye trauma, or can be a congenital condition.

What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

• Initial signs & symptoms
• How do cataracts affect your vision

Initial signs and symptoms

The initial signs and symptoms of cataracts can be very subtle. They generally evolve slowly (over several years). Because of this, the very slight visual changes that occur during their formation might go unnoticed. There are some cases where cataracts form faster, such as in those with certain medical conditions. However, whether slow or fast, the ultimate method of monitoring the initial progression is through regular eye checks with your ophthalmologist.

How do cataracts affect your vision

As cataracts progress, they begin to impact on how you view the world. This might include some or all of the following visual changes:

• Reduced vision in dim light conditions
• Blurring or clouding of the vision
• Seeing halos around lights
• Colors become less vibrant or might appear yellow in tone
• Poor night vision
• The need for a brighter light source when reading or carrying out close up work
• Sensitivity to bright lights
• Increasingly frequent changes in your glasses or contact lens prescription

Once they begin to form, cataracts continue to worsen over the years. They interrupt the passage of light through to the retina at the back of the eye. Untreated, this can eventually lead to blindness. Fortunately, there are various surgical options available that remove the diseased lens, replacing it with an intraocular lens (IOL) and therefore restoring vision.

Cataract Eye Surgery

• How cataract eye surgery improves vision
• What happens during cataract eye surgery?

How cataract eye surgery improves vision

Cataracts occur when the tissues that make up the lens of the eye begin to stiffen and break down. This often occurs as part of the aging process (hence cataracts being more common in those over 50 years old). Cataract eye surgery is a commonly carried out procedure that replaces the lens with an artificial one. The choice of lenses can, in many cases, enable an excellent clarity of vision without the use of corrective glasses or contact lenses. The procedure is virtually painless and generally carried out under local anesthetic.

What happens during cataract eye surgery?

There are two types of cataract eye surgery: traditional and laser. Your ophthalmologist will discuss these with you to determine the best option. No matter which kind you have, the procedure involves making a tiny incision in the eye through which the surgeon removes the clouded lens and replaces it with an IOL. Your eye will be numbed before the operation and, if necessary, appropriate sedation provided. The treatment is quick (30-45 minutes in total) and you’ll be able to return home the same day.Full recovery takes up to eight weeks, during which time you’ll need to refrain from strenuous activity while the healing process takes place. For those who need surgery to both eyes, you’ll generally have the more severe eye treated first. When this has fully recovered you’ll be scheduled for the second eye.

Brent Bellotte MD. The USA’s leading Cataract Eye Surgeon

The worsening symptoms of cataracts are life-changing, making it imperative that you partner with a specialist ophthalmologist to monitor your situation and carry out surgery at the optimal time. Dr. Brent Bellotte is the head clinician at the West Boca Eye Center and a leading figure in the field of cataract surgery.Working closely with other global experts, his academic-grade clinic offers the latest in cutting-edge cataract eye surgery procedures.Visit https://westbocaeyecenter.com to find out more and call now to book your appointment.