What are cataracts?
You have a lens in each of your eyes that focuses light on your retina as it enters through your pupil. However, as you age, the proteins in your lenses begin to breakdown, causing your lenses to become cloudy or filmy, a condition known as cataracts.
Cataracts usually develop slowly and might not impair your vision right away. However, you could notice symptoms, including:
- Blurry vision
- Seeing double
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Decreased night vision
- Needing more light to see clearly or ready by
- Colors looking faded or yellowish
Fortunately, Benjamin Optical monitors your cataracts and offers treatments ranging from corrective lenses to cataract surgery.
What causes cataracts?
In most cases, cataracts are an age-related eye condition. Cataracts are often due to normal changes to your eyes that begin around 40. Your eyes continue to change, and the first signs of cataracts usually emerge around 60, although you might not suffer any vision impairment until years later.
Your risk of cataracts or early onset of the condition increases if:
- You have a family member who has cataracts
- You have other medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure
- You had an eye injury or surgery in the past
- You spend a lot of time in the sun
You can reduce your risk of cataracts by protecting your eyes from the sun with sunglasses that block ultraviolet (UV) light. Your optometrist can also recommend a clear anti-UV coating for your eyeglasses.
How are cataracts diagnosed?
Benjamin Optical diagnoses cataracts during a comprehensive eye exam. They use slit lamp exams, retinal exams, pupil dilation, and visual acuity tests to monitor your eye health and the sharpness of your vision.
If your doctor finds signs of cataracts, they can recommend that you have more frequent eye exams so they can monitor your eye health and vision more closely.
How are cataracts treated?
Benjamin Optical usually begins cataract treatment with conservative options like a new eyeglass prescription or using a brighter light when you read or perform other close-up work.
If your cataracts interfere with your vision and life, your doctor can recommend surgery to remove your cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).
If you think you might have cataracts, call Benjamin Optical or make an appointment online today.
