Shirley Wenger is a professional journalist and editor who has been working in the publishing industry for more than 15 years. She is an award-winning...Read more

Cataracts usually develop in our eyes as a normal part of aging. You can tell if you are developing a cataract if you start to experience poor night vision, blurry or cloudy vision, double vision, or sensitivity to light.

Aside from age-related cataracts, those with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing them earlier in life, as are those with a prior family history. Certain medications like steroids can also cause the early onset of cataracts.

Fortunately, there are many cataract treatment options available. If your cataract is still in the early stages, you may be able to opt for non-surgical treatment. However, if the cataract is interfering with your everyday life, you can elect to undergo a cataract eye surgery procedure.

Non-Surgical Cataract Treatment

Not all cataracts need surgical treatment, especially if surgery cannot improve your vision because of other eye problems. Surgery isn’t always necessary if the cataract doesn’t inconvenience you in your daily life. Patients who would prefer not to undergo surgery can also seek non-surgical treatment as a first step.

Non-surgical methods include buying new glasses with added features like magnifying or anti-glare lenses. You can also get tinted or light-reactive lenses to help reduce the symptoms caused by light exposure and delay your cataract’s growth. Reading lamps can help with difficulty seeing smaller print in low light.

These small lifestyle changes can help alleviate the symptoms associated with developing cataracts. Some patients can improve their vision significantly through non-surgical treatment. It is best to seek an experienced and professional ophthalmologist and have your eyes tested. They can help you understand your options and the pros and cons of each one.

Surgical Cataract Treatment

The most effective treatment for cataracts is a cataract surgery procedure. In a simple operation over 15 to 45 minutes under local anesthetic, your ophthalmologist will replace your eye’s natural, cloudy lens with a new, artificial lens, medically referred to as an intraocular lens or IOL. This option can also provide freedom from wearing glasses as often.

Surgical intervention for the treatment of cataracts can often lead to an improvement in the patient’s vision, to the point that they see even better than they did before the cataract began to develop. There are also several different kinds of IOL available, designed to correct a variety of vision issues, including short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism, and even presbyopia.

You should consider a cataract surgery procedure if a cataract has advanced to the stage that it interferes with everyday tasks. Experts also advise surgery for people with age-related macular degeneration or other eye conditions. The presence of a cataract can make it difficult for an ophthalmologist to examine other eye-related problems accurately.

Modern cataract surgery is safe and effective. Look for an ophthalmology center that uses advanced technology. There are also several eye centers that offer affordable financing options. Ensure they are CMS-certified and AAAHC-accredited, so you can feel confident that you’re getting the best care.

Shirley Wenger is a professional journalist and editor who has been working in the publishing industry for more than 15 years. She is an award-winning writer and her work has been featured in various publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *