Cataracts
Of the many ways that aging can affect the body, cataracts are among the most concerning.
They are also very common. It is estimated that more than 60% of Americans will develop a visually significant cataract in their lifetime. For some, this might mean a bit of glare and nearsightedness in their vision. For others, vision can become greatly blurred or distorted.
The earlier a cataract is discovered, the more that can typically be done to reduce its impact over time. More severe cataracts frequently require surgery, but the good news is that such procedures are performed all the time with a very high success rate.
What is a Cataract?
Several factors can be responsible for the development of cataracts.
As we noted above, age tends to be a significant factor in most cases. Most cataracts occur in people over 45 years old, with an even higher concentration in people over the age of 65.
However, age is not always the only reason for cataract formation. Other potential factors can include:
- Complications of certain diseases and conditions, such as diabetes.
- Excessive exposure to cigarette smoke.
- Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light.
- Being born with cataracts as a congenital condition.
Yes, it is uncommon but still possible for a child to have cataracts. But no matter your age, early detection of the problem will be ideal for monitoring and treatment.
How are Cataracts Treated?
If a cataract is still in its early stages and not having a significant impact on daily life, its symptoms may still be able to be addressed with the use of prescription lenses.
If cataracts begin to interfere more noticeably with your quality of life, however – especially when it comes to performing daily activities – then surgery to remove them will become more of a consideration. Typically, the decision of when to have cataract surgery is entirely up to you. While retaining cataracts may lead to worse symptoms over time, there is usually no actual harm to the eye. Choosing to remove cataracts now or later does not tend to have an effect on how the eye recovers.
In cataract surgery, the clouded lens is removed and replaced with a permanent artificial lens (known as an “intraocular lens”). Our partners at Specialty Eye Institute use ultrasound or laser to break up and remove the old lens. The ultimate method used may depend on a patient’s personal and medical needs. Then a folded implant is inserted through a very small, fast-healing incision, and placed in the correct position.
The full procedure takes less than 15 minutes in the hands of our skilled surgeons. A patient can typically return to normal activities the next day!
Care for Cataracts
If you have been seeing glare, blurriness, or distorted vision, it is not a good idea to ignore the problem. Dr. Seim can get to the source of the problem and discuss with you your best options for management or correction.
Call us at (269) 668-5558 to request a consultation, or fill out our online contact form if you prefer to reach out to us electronically.
