A cataract forms when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy and your vision is impaired. Cataracts are incredibly common and millions of people worldwide have benefited from the advancements made in cataract surgery.
However, there may still be some questions you have about cataracts. Perhaps you are concerned that you might have cataracts yourself or maybe a family member was recently diagnosed with cataracts.
Either way, here are six things you might not know about cataracts:
Cataracts can cause a number of vision problems
Most people associate cataracts with blurry vision and while that is true, there are other problems that can stem from cataracts. For instance, some patients notice that their cataracts cause their eyes to form a yellow or brownish tint. And many patients experience halos around light sources, which limits their ability to drive at night.
Individuals of all ages can develop cataracts
It’s true that cataracts are more common in elderly individuals but cataracts can develop in individuals of all ages. Your doctor will check for signs of cataracts at your yearly eye exam.
Cataracts can’t be prevented
Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way you can prevent cataracts from forming. They can be caused by a number of different factors, such as aging, a traumatic eye injury, or prolonged sun exposure.
But you can reduce your risk of cataracts
That being said, you can minimize your risk of developing cataracts. Making simple lifestyle changes like wearing sunglasses outdoors, avoiding secondhand smoke, and eating a healthy diet can reduce your risk for cataracts.
Cataract surgery is a simple, straightforward procedure
Most people are nervous about the thought of having surgery. Fortunately, cataract surgery is a very simple, straightforward procedure. Your doctor will give you eye drops to numb your eyes and the entire procedure will take less than 30 minutes. And most patients are up and about within a week of having the surgery.
People are choosing to have cataract surgery at earlier ages
Because of the benefits of cataract surgery and the limited number of complications, people are choosing to have the surgery at younger ages than previous generations. Now patients don’t have to wait until their vision is severely impaired to have this life-changing procedure.
If you are interested in learning more about cataract surgery, contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors.
