When the clear part of the eye you see through becomes cloudy, that’s a cataract. Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness, especially among the elderly. More than 65 million people worldwide are believed to have cataracts, and they lead to significant vision loss in around 80% of cases.
While cataracts are treatable, that treatment is surgery. Once the cataract becomes serious enough to affect a person’s daily life, surgery is currently the only option.
The Development of Cataracts
Cataracts don’t happen overnight. They develop slowly, typically so slowly that you don’t notice at first. However, as the cataract develops, you’ll start to experience:
- Cloudy vision
- Constant halos or bloom in bright lights
- Difficulty seeing in low light
- Increased vision loss
These are all symptoms which should be checked out by an optometrist, if you start experiencing them. Whether they are caused by cataracts or another issue, progressive vision problems never get better on their own. They just get worse over time.
Why You Need Cataract Surgery
Simply put, cataracts are not a disease which can be cured with medicine. They are physical damage to the eye’s outer lens, and the damage done is irreversible without surgical intervention.
When surgery is needed simply depends on how much damage has been done. Many people live for years with mild cataracts, using corrective lenses to fix some of the larger problems. However, over time, the cataracts will get worse. Eventually, once they begin impacting a patient’s ability to do everyday activities such as reading and driving, surgery is simply the only option.
How Cataract Surgery Works
The procedure is actually quite easy, by surgical standards. A small incision is made along the side of the cornea (lens) of your eye. The damaged natural cornea is removed, and replaced with an artificial lens.
The procedure itself only takes around 15 minutes, although you’ll need a couple hours for prep and recovery afterward. However, you’ll go home the same day – and you’ll see a big improvement in your vision almost immediately. The costs of basic surgery are usually covered by insurance.
Complete healing takes around 2-4 weeks, with minimal pain that can be managed with basic painkillers. You can resume normal activity the next day, although you will need to be extra-careful about protecting your eyes while they heal.
So if you suspect you have cataracts, don’t ignore them. Contact Valley Eyecare Center for an examination, and to discuss your options.
