Are You Concerned About Having Cataracts?

Is your vision dim or blurry, or do you have double vision? If any of these symptoms are happening to you, it can make you feel uneasy.

It’s hard to tell what is causing eyesight problems, but these symptoms could be cataracts. If you’re worried about cataracts at all, keep reading to learn more about them and what to do next.

How Can I Tell If I Have A Cataract?

When you have a cataract, your vision will appear cloudy and dim. Many cataracts patients say it is almost like someone has placed a thin curtain in front of your eyes.

Colors seem muted and not as vivid as you remember them. You may also find yourself needing a bright light to see more clearly, especially if you’re reading or doing something with fine detail like sewing.

This same bright light will then cause you to get frequent headaches and eye pain. That’s because you’re straining your eyes to see.

Driving at night may also become harder. Glares and halos from oncoming traffic are common if you have cataracts.

Double vision in one or both eyes is also something you may experience. This happens because the light entering your eye isn’t able to refract or bend normally.

It bounces off your cataracted lens, which causes you to see fragmented images. The light isn’t hitting your retina as it should but is bending and reflecting off the cataract instead.

If you have double vision in one eye, try covering it with your hand. If you have normal vision in the other eye with the first one covered, you may have a cataract in the covered eye.

Who Gets Cataracts?

By about the age of seventy-five, around half of all adults will have a cataract. Cataracts are common as you get older and are a natural part of the aging process.

Younger people can also develop cataracts if they have a family history of them or uncontrolled diabetes. Other factors can also cause a cataract at a younger age. These include:

• Excessive exposure to harmful UV rays
• Smoking
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Having an eye injury

Is There A Safe Treatment Available?

Yes, surgery for the treatment of cataracts is common and safe. During cataract surgery, your cloudy natural lens gets removed and replaced with an artificial lens.

These artificial lenses are intraocular lenses or IOLs. After cataract surgery, they will allow you to see clearly and get back to living your life.

Your eye doctor will help you find the most suitable IOL for your lifestyle and vision goals. There is an IOL to fit every vision and lifestyle need.

Standard or monofocal IOLs provide vision at only one distance. With a standard monofocal IOL, most people correct their distance vision.

That means you’ll still need your reading glasses. In addition, if you correct up-close vision, you may need glasses for things like driving or watching tv.

Certain premium IOLs can provide near, intermediate, and distance vision, depending on the lens. Others may only offer vision at two of the distances.

It all depends on the lens. Also, many IOLs come in a toric model, which means they can also correct astigmatism.

You’ll be able to choose the IOL that works best for you before your cataract surgery. Most insurance plans and Medicare cover the cost of standard IOLs but not premium IOLs.

Are you concerned that cataracts may be affecting your eyesight? Then, schedule an appointment at Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Arizona in Scottsdale, AZ.

Come get an eye exam to make sure they are healthy!