What Causes Cataracts?

Aging is the biggest culprit that causes cataracts. As we get older, the proteins in our lenses start to break down, causing the lenses to become less clear. Cataracts can also be caused by other factors, such as diabetes, trauma to the eye, certain medications, and genetics.

What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

Cataracts are progressive, which means that you may not notice symptoms right away. However, there are signs of cataracts that are associated with cataracts. Some of these include:

• Difficulty seeing at night
• Blurry or cloudy vision
• Seeing colors as faded
• Sensitivity to light and glare
• Poor vision in low light
• Double vision in one eye

These are just a few of the more common symptoms. It’s important to have regular eye exams, so our optometrist can diagnose your condition as early as possible.

How Are Cataracts Diagnosed?

A comprehensive eye exam is used to diagnose cataracts. During an examination, we will ask you questions about your symptoms and take a close look at your eyes. We may also use specialized tests, such as scans or images of the eye, to get a better look at the cataracts.

How Are Cataracts Treated?

In most cases, surgery is the only way to treat cataracts. In the beginning stages, you might be able to treat cataracts with a new prescription for glasses or contact lenses. However, surgery will eventually be necessary to remove the cataracts.

During surgery, an eye surgeon will make a small incision in your eye and remove the cloudy lens. A new artificial lens will be put in its place. The surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis, which means you can go home the same day. Recovery from surgery is typically quick, and most people see an improvement in their vision right away. In some cases, a second surgery may be necessary to adjust the artificial lens.