A cataract causes clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which leads to blurry vision. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. At Eye Care Associates Inc., which serves Boardman, Austintown, Youngstown, Warren, and East Liverpool OH, we offer specialized eye care services to help preserve your vision. To learn about some frequently asked questions regarding cataracts, we invite you to keep reading!
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts cloud the clear lens of the eye and can cause objects to appear hazy or faded. Cataracts form gradually as our eyes get older. 90% of Americans develop cataracts by the time they are 65 years old. By this age, the protein in your eye’s natural lens lump together to form cataracts.
Some common symptoms of cataracts include:
- Blurry vision
- Poor vision at night
- Faded colors
- Halos around lights
- Double vision
- Sunlight, lamps, headlights, and other light sources seem too bright
Who Is at Risk of Developing Cataracts?
Developing cataracts increases with age. You have a higher risk of developing cataracts due to the following:
- A family history of cataracts
- Previous eye injury, eye surgery, or radiation treatment on your upper body
- Excessive sun exposure
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
What Does the Lens of the Eye Do?
The primary role of the eye lens is to transmit and concentrate light onto the retina in order to produce clear and sharp images at different distances. Since cataracts cloud the lens, any objects will appear blurry.
How Are Cataracts Diagnosed?
In most cases, our eye doctors will review your medical history to understand the type of cataracts or if you have any other eye conditions. We may also check for cataracts during a dilated eye exam. When a dilated eye exam is performed, our optometrists and/or ophthalmologists administer a few dilating eye drops to widen the pupil and then use special equipment to test for cataracts and any additional eye problems.
In addition to the dilation exam, our doctors may perform the following:
- Visual acuity test to check how clearly your eyes can see
- Visual field test to assess your side vision
- Pupil response test to determine how light enters your eyes
- Tonometry test to check your eye pressure
These tests will help our optometrists and ophthalmologists with a diagnosis and determine a suitable treatment plan for your condition.
What Types of Treatments Are Available for Cataracts?
The type of treatment that is necessary will depend on the severity of your cataracts. The only way to treat a fully developed cataract is through cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is one of the safest, most common, and most effective procedures performed today. The procedure involves removing the natural lens in the eye that has become cloudy and replacing it with an artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens or IOL. There are many lens options that can help reduce your dependence on glasses. All lens options will be discussed with you during your cataract evaluation appointment.
Contact us for Treatment Today
At Eye Care Associates, we understand how precious eyesight really is. Everything we do revolves around the care of our patients. We’re always looking for new and better ways to keep patient’s eyes healthy and their vision the best that it can be. That’s why we put the latest technology in the hands of the most experienced eye specialists. If you are experiencing blurry vision, faded colors, poor vision when driving at night, or halos around lights contact our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our optometrists. We serve patients in Boardman, Austintown, Youngstown, Warren, and East Liverpool OH, and look forward to improving your eye health!
