Expert Help with Cataracts for Our Patients

Cataracts are common, especially for our aging patients. Older people have an increased risk of developing them, and they can be severe or mild depending on how advanced they are. Our optometrists are highly trained in detecting and managing cataracts.

We recommend at least once annual exams for children, adults and seniors, and patients with diabetes to stay ahead of any eye diseases.

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Understanding Cataracts

Behind your eye’s pupil and cornea is the ocular lens, which focuses light on the retina at the back of your eye. Like any cell in your body, your ocular lens cells are replaced as they age, die, and regenerate. The resulting cloudy deposits may result in blurry vision and incomplete images.

If the cells suffer damage, they might not form the way they’re supposed to. And as we age, the body begins to struggle with cell replacement.

Milky deposits, not unlike scar tissue, can form within your ocular lens, making them seem cloudy and opaque. Once visible these deposits are called cataracts.

Risks Associated with Cataract Development

Ultraviolet light comes in several levels of intensity. While the harshest UV radiation, UV type C, is filtered by the earth’s ozone layer, UVA and UVB both make it through. UV types A and B can both cause cataracts. UVA might trigger cataracts relatively more because this particular solar wavelength can penetrate farther into the eye, past the cornea, the pupil, and into the ocular lens.

Children have newer, fresher cells and more transparent lenses, which contributes to how UV damage builds up in their eyes without protection.

Eye surgeries, smoking, or radiation treatments can also increase your risk.

Diabetes

Whether young or mature, diabetes increases the risk of developing cataracts. If your family on either side has a history of cataracts, you might develop them sooner.

Prevention

An easy way to prevent cataracts is to protect your eyes against UV radiation. Wear sunglasses anytime you’re outside, especially in the early morning. Have your children wear them too. And only buy sunglasses guaranteeing 99-100% UVA and UVB protection.

Cataract Surgery

Our optometrists are trained to detect cataracts before they advance. We help you manage your cataracts with eyeglasses or contact lenses.

If your cataracts require surgery, we will then refer you to the best available help. A trusted ophthalmologist performs cataract surgery using sonic tools to scale the damaged ocular lens tissue, replacing it with an intraocular lens (IOL).

Referral & Recovery

If cataract surgery is right for you, we follow up with you as you manage your recovery. Occasionally, cataract surgery may result in complications, sometimes requiring further surgery. Sometime’s there’s no improvement for about 10% of patients. Good execution and follow-up care are essential to mitigating these risks. But don’t worry: you’re in good hands.

Book an eye exam today and stay ahead of cataract risk.

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