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Are you
at risk?
Cataracts are caused by long-term
ultraviolet (UV) sunlight exposure, diabetes, long-term use of
steroid medicine, and physical eye damage. A family history of
cataracts, or being African-American also increases your risk.
However, age and diabetes are the top two factors.
It has been estimated that 7 out of
10 Americans may have cataracts serious enough to interfere with
everyday activities by they time they are 75. Early detection –
before you notice any symptoms – is important to a quick solution to
your problem. Left untreated, cataracts invariably cause blindness
in the long term, and can significantly damage vision and limit your
independence in the shorter term.
What is
the TREATMENT for cataracts?
Your first step is a visit to your
optometrist, who will determine if you have cataracts or another
problem. He or she will then refer you to a competent eye surgeon
for out-patient surgery that requires about 2 hours of your time. An
uncomplicated procedure typically takes seven to ten minutes. Your
post-operative visits are then scheduled with your optometrist to
assure proper healing.
Fortunately, cataracts are easy to detect in the early stages, and
easy to treat. So your yearly eye exam by your optometrist is your
first line of defense. Of course, if you develop sudden vision
changes, such as double vision or blurriness, see your optometrist
right away.
Correcting near- or far-sightedness during cataract surgery
If you need cataract surgery, and you
also are near- or far-sighted, your eye surgeon can implant a new
“multi-focal implant” lens that can improve those conditions. Ask us
about refractive error correction. |
