Is Cataract Treatment Necessary?
- Posted on: Jun 15 2020
We have an expectation that our prescription eyeglasses will stay consistent for at least a year or two; that we can work on a computer or watch television without our vision becoming cloudy. We also expect to be able to drive at nighttime without having to squint or be blinded by glares and halos around light sources. Do you experience these frustrating problems? If you do, do you chalk them up to aging? Getting older can change the eyes and affect vision, yes. But there’s more to it than that. The symptoms we’ve mentioned are signs that you may be developing cataracts.
What is it Like to Live with Cataracts?
Cataracts represent one of the most common eye diseases that occurs today. Cataracts are deposits of proteins that accumulate on the lens of the eye over time. In most cases, this development occurs very slowly. So slowly that it can take years and disruption to daily life for a person to recognize that they have a vision problem they need to deal with. At first, cataracts may dull the vibrancy of colors. The clouding caused by protein clumps is what makes glares and halos appear around lights, and what eventually makes it difficult to read the faces of loved ones. It is important to know that, until they are treated, cataracts will continue to worsen, making it more and more difficulty to see. It is also important to know that cataracts don’t have to degrade your quality of life.
Several factors may influence the development and progression of cataracts. These include high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, drinking alcohol, and smoking. Studies also indicate that people over the age of 60 have a higher risk of developing cataracts. If you have any of these risk factors, it is beneficial for you to have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist once every year or two. A dilated eye exam observes all of the vital structures of the eyes and can determine the severity of cataracts, if they are found.
Candidates for Cataract Surgery
Most people who have cataracts are good candidates for cataract removal surgery. Certain medical or eye conditions may affect the decision to remove clouded lenses. Dr. Silverstein conducts a thorough eye exam to assess the potential success of cataract removal. Generally, cataract removal surgery can be scheduled at any time when a person wants to restore clearer vision.
Cataract removal surgery is an outpatient procedure that takes only a few minutes. Usually, only one eye is treated at a time. In some cases, only one eye needs to be treated. Cataracts don’t always form in both eyes. After the clouded lens is replaced with a clear, synthetic lens, vision reaches full correction in about one month. Some people do continue to need eyeglasses after cataract removal, often just for reading.
You don’t have to wait until cataracts are “bad enough” to have your vision corrected. Call our Chester, NJ office at 908.879.7297 to schedule a consultation to discuss cataract removal.
Posted in: Cataract Surgery
