Posted by: Associates in Ophthalmology (NJ) in Cataracts
As you get older, it’s natural for your vision to lose the clarity that it once had. That’s why it’s essential to get regular eye exams to keep your eyes healthy and prevent any vision loss.
Cataracts are one of those leading causes of vision loss. As your eyes age naturally, the clear lens hardens and becomes yellowish, making it difficult for you to see clearly.
If left untreated, cataracts can damage your eyes over time and eventually lead to blindness. Only your eye doctor can determine whether you have cataracts.
Here are some signs that may indicate that you have cataracts. If any of these seem accurate, you may want to consider talking with your eye doctor about having cataract surgery.
1. Impaired Vision
Is your vision often blurry or cloudy?
Having a blurry or cloudy vision is a common symptom of having a cataract. Changing your prescription only helps for a short time before you notice that it’s hard to see again.
Experiencing double vision is another indication of having a cataract. Double vision occurs when the light entering your eye becomes scattered.
Because the lens is cloudy and unable to reflect appropriately, what you see is fragmented into multiple incomplete images.
2. You Have Other Eye Complaints
You may have other eye symptoms that you can’t treat until having your cataracts taken care of. These other eye problems may only cause discomfort, or they could signal something more serious.
Dry eye syndrome is common and needs special treatment and precautions to manage. You may need prescription eye drops to relieve them when they feel itchy or red, and irritated.
Glaucoma is a more serious eye condition that can cause blindness if not caught early enough. An untreated cataract can prevent treatment for glaucoma simply because it hasn’t been noticed.
3. It’s Hard to Do Normal Activities
Have you stopped reading as much or given up your favorite hobby because it’s too hard to focus? Maybe you’ve recently had to give up driving at night because of the glaring lights and the headaches they cause?
When your vision is impaired even slightly, it’s challenging to perform everyday activities. Essentially, it interferes with your quality of life, which can lead to feelings of depression and sadness.
If you notice that reading is difficult, even if you have large print, new reading glasses, and bright light, you may want to get your eyes checked for cataracts. Do your eyes seem more sensitive to bright lights?
Are you tripping or falling more often? Because the world around you seems hazy or darker, it’s easy to lose your balance. This can cause many other concerns for your safety and eventually prevent you from venturing out anywhere. All of this is simply because of your sight loss.
Choosing Cataract Surgery to Change Your Life
It doesn’t need to be that way because you can treat cataracts by having cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is a common procedure with minimal recovery time.
During the procedure, you’ll have the cloudy lens in your eye removed and replaced with an artificial lens. You’ll have the option to choose which type of lens is best for your vision needs ahead of time.
Not only will an intraocular lens replace the damaged lens in your eye, but depending on the kind you choose, it can reduce your need for eyeglasses or contacts. It may even eliminate your need for reading glasses if you choose a premium lens.
Don’t hesitate another day if you think there’s the slightest possibility that you may have cataracts. Schedule an appointment at Associates in Ophthalmology in Livingston, NJ, to learn more!
By improving your eyesight, you can get back to doing the things you love instead of constantly feeling in the dark.
