Everything You Need to Know About Cataracts
Cataracts are a common occurrence as you age. According to the National Eye Institute, more than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to remove them. At first you may not notice you have a cataract, but over time, it can cause vision issues that can affect your everyday activities. In this article, we take a look at what cataracts are, their symptoms, and how they are treated.
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts are a cloudy area in the lens of your eye (the clear part of the eye that helps to focus light). Most cataracts are related to age and happen due to normal changes in your eyes as you get older. However, you can get cataracts for other reasons, such as after an eye injury or surgery for a different eye issue, like glaucoma.
Around the age of 40, the proteins in the lens of your eye start to break down and clump together. This clump is what creates the cloudy area on your lens. Over time, the cataract gets worse and makes more of your lens cloudy.
What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?
There are no early symptoms of cataracts at first or when they are mild. But as they grow, they can cause changes in your vision. In later stages, you may experience:
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Faded colors
- Deteriorated night vision
- Halos around lights
- Light sensitivity where lamps, headlights, or sunlight seem too bright
- Double vision (this sometimes goes away as the cataract gets bigger)
- The need to change the prescription of your contacts or glasses often
These symptoms could be signs of other eye issues as well, so it’s best to speak with your eye doctor if you notice any of these symptoms or changes in your vision.
Who is At Risk for Cataracts?
Besides age playing a factor, some other groups of people are also at a higher risk of developing cataracts. Those at higher risk include:
- People with certain health problems, like diabetes
- Smokers
- People who drink too much alcohol
- Those with a family history of cataracts
- Those who have had an eye injury, eye surgery, or radiation treatment on the upper body
- Those who have spent a lot of time in the sun
- People who take steroids, which are used to treat some health issues like allergies or arthritis
Be sure to speak with your doctor about your risk factors and make a health plan to protect your vision.
How Can I Prevent Cataracts?
There are steps that you can take to protect your eyes from cataracts. This includes wearing glasses and a hat with a brim to protect your eyes from the sun. You should also wear protective eyewear while doing activities that could lead to an eye injury, such as using power tools or playing certain sports. If you are a smoker, make a plan with your doctor to quit. Be sure to manage any chronic conditions such as diabetes well and to make healthy food choices that give your eyes the nutrients they need!
How Does the Eye Doctor Check for Cataracts?
An eye doctor checks for cataracts as part of a dilated eye exam. If you are 60 or older, it’s recommended that you get a dilated eye exam every one to two years. This exam is simple and painless. The doctor will give you some eye drops that dilate (widen) the pupil and then will check your eyes for cataracts or other vision issues.
How are Cataracts Treated?
Early on, you may be able to make some small changes to help manage cataracts. You can use brighter lights and magnifying lenses to help you see better plus wear anti-glare sunglasses. Getting a current prescription for glasses or contact lenses can also help you see better early on.
Your doctor may suggest surgery if your cataracts start getting in the way of everyday activities, such as driving, reading, or watching TV. During cataract surgery, the doctor removes the clouded lens and replaces it with a new, artificial lens (also called an intraocular lens, or IOL). This surgery is very safe, and 9 out of 10 people who get the surgery see better afterward.
Prior to the surgery, your doctor may prescribe special eye drops to help protect your eye from getting an infection. You may also be required to stop taking medications prior to the surgery for a little while. You will also need to clean your eyelids and eyelashes the night before your surgery to get rid of germs that could cause an infection.
The day of the surgery, you’ll need to bring a family member or friend with you as you won’t be able to drive afterward. During the surgery, you will get numbing drops in your eye and then the doctor will use tiny tools to cut into your eye, break up the lens, remove the cataract, then place the new artificial lens in your eye.
After surgery, you will be given eye drops to help your eye heal and you will need to wear a special eye shield or glasses. Your eye may feel a bit itchy or uncomfortable and sensitive to light and touch. But after a couple of days, your eyes should feel better. Most people are completely healed after 8 weeks, but during this time, your doctor will have you come in for checkups to make sure things are healing correctly.
If you experience any of these problems post-cataract surgery, contact your doctor right away:
- Vision loss
- Bad pain that won’t go away even if you take medicine for it
- Very red eyes
- Floaters, which are flashes of light or a lot of small dark spots or squiggly lines that float across your vision
Are there Risks with Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is one of the most common, safe, and effective types of surgery done. But as with any surgery, there are risks, including:
- Swelling, bleeding, or infections
- Vision loss or double vision
- Unusual changes in eye pressure
- Retinal detachment
- Secondary cataracts
Get Expert Cataract Care with Black Diamond!
Black Diamond is a leader in comprehensive eye care services. We offer a dedicated team of eye doctors and friendly staff, all in a warm and relaxing environment. Whether you need a regular eye checkup, or treatment for eye-related issues, including cataracts, we are at your service. Book an appointment today!
