For many, vision loss associated with cataracts is just a part of aging, along with gray hair and wrinkles. In most cases, cataracts begin to develop after the age of 40, with the chance of cataracts developing increasing with age.
What Is A Cataract?
A cataract develops when the natural lens of the eye becomes clouded, blurring or distorting your clear vision, and potentially interfering with your daily activities, and even your ability to drive. Surgery is recommended for the treatment and removal of the affected lens or lenses, which are replaced with artificial lenses known as IOLs — or intraocular lenses — to restore clear vision.
Maybe you are fearful about the idea of surgery being performed on your eyes. It could also be that you lead an active lifestyle and can’t fathom the idea of a recovery period of about a month, which includes swimming, hot tub use, and active exercise restrictions. Whatever your reason, you may be considering putting off cataract surgery in the hopes that “things will just stay the way they are”. A little cloudy vision never hurt anyone, right?
In most cases, cataracts will continue to worsen with time, further affecting your vision with continual loss of vision. Many people become legally blind as a result of untreated cataracts. What’s more, cataracts can even cause total blindness if they are left untreated for a long period of time. Of course, as your vision loss becomes more severe, your ability to drive could be affected, making you a danger to yourself and others.
Treating Cataracts
Modern cataract treatment has advanced to the point of modern-day surgeries treated as outpatient procedures, but we do not have the technology to predict with any accuracy how quickly a cataract will worsen. If you notice your vision worsening prior to your next regularly scheduled exam with your eye doctor, make an appointment and get your eyes checked. Do not wait for the future appointment penciled into your calendar.
If you are unsure if your cataracts are bad enough to require cataract surgery or if Medicare will cover the cost of the procedure, schedule a consultation with your eye doctor or cataract surgeon. They will examine your eyes and determine the best course of action for your cataracts, which may, in some cases, be stable enough to see a noticeable improvement with the use of prescription eyeglasses. Another option to combat night-driving problems related to the development of mild cataracts is having your eyeglass lenses treated with an anti-reflective glare.
No matter the stage of your cataracts, make an appointment as soon as possible to have your eyes examined and discuss treatment options with your eye doctor or ophthalmologist at Loden Vision. Untreated cataracts can “hypermature” — a cataract condition that makes them more difficult to remove. Hypermature cataracts are more likely to cause cataract surgery complications.
The best outcomes happen when cataracts are treated and cataract surgery is performed soon after vision problems develop. Ready to talk to your eye doctor about cataracts? Contact us today!
