Cataract Surgery 101: Things You Need to Know

 

Cataract is a common medical condition where the lens of the eyes gradually starts to become opaque, causing blurred vision. It is the main cause of blindness all over the world, and is usually found in people ages 40 years old and above. In fact, researchers have discovered more cases of this eye condition than macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy combined.

 

Cataract cannot be corrected by wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses, or even undergoing eye procedures such as LASIK. On a positive note, one can undergo cataract surgery to cure the condition.

 

What is Cataract Surgery?

Until now, the cataract surgery is the only efficient treatment for cataracts. Improvements in cataract surgery has allowed good visual results and shorter recovery times.

As long as the patient is not diagnosed to have any other eye problem such as diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration, he or she can expect great results from the operation.  The surgery is done by using an ultrasound probe to break the cloudy lens into tiny fragments. Once done, these fragments would be removed through suction. Thereafter, an intraocular lens will be inserted through the small incision. These lenses are intended to last for the remainder of a person’s life. As the incision made is small, no stitches are required. The patient will then be asked to wear protective eyewear during the early stages of the cataract surgery recovery.

 

To find out whether you have a cataract or not, here are the following symptoms:

 

From watching the television, reading books, to driving your way to work, you use the lens of your eyes on a regular basis. As you age, the proteins inside your eyes’ lens clump together, making it tough for light to pass through, resulting in blurry vision. Everyone eventually gets cataracts, however, this condition may easily develop or worsen due to certain reasons like smoking, too much sun exposure, high blood pressure, or use of medications such as steroids. Some people may not pay much attention to the signs during the early stages as it has very little effect on your vision.

 

Those who are still in the early stage of cataract may notice small changes in their vision as if they are looking through a cloudy glass. Some may find the light from a lamp or the sun glaring or too bright, while others notice that oncoming headlights cause more glares than they did before. Moreover, some colors may not appear as bright as before. More signs or symptoms that you need to visit an eye specialist:

 

• Double vision
• Having a hard time driving at night due to glare from headlights
• Sudden changes in your glasses prescription
• Problems with glare during the day

Since the exact cause of cataracts is still uncertain, experts cannot offer any proven way to prevent them from forming. This is why you need to have your eyes examined on a regular basis, especially if you have any preexisting eye conditions, are already wearing prescription glasses. Other reasons to have your eyes checked is if you are over 40 years old, have a family history of eye problems, or if you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above. These factors increase the risk of cataracts.

 

Do not hesitate to as for help from the professionals to ensure your eyes are always healthy. Visit a specialist who is trusted in the industry for an eye exam and take the necessary precautions to prevent cataracts from developing. If you are looking for a trusted professional to help you with this eye problem, be sure to contact Atlas Eye. Visit their website to learn more about their eye services. Their friendly staff are always available to help you.

source http://allurewellness.net/2017/02/07/cataract-surgery-101-things-you-need-to-know/