Approximately 21 million American adults have cataracts – a progressive clouding of the lens that can lead to loss of vision. Our highly skilled cataract surgeons have helped thousands of patients with cataracts to regain their vision.
First, consider your lifestyle and the new treatment options that are now available. After your cataract surgery, would you rather need glasses for close, far, or computer vision? Or would you prefer to reduce or eliminate your need for glasses after cataract surgery?
A bright new world is opening up for those gradually losing eyesight to cataracts. Today, advanced technology can provide a more independent and youthful option so that for most people, the need to wear reading glasses no longer has to be an inevitable part of aging or cataract treatment. No longer would they have to search for a magnifying glass or readers to find a phone number, read a stock quote, a baseball box score, or a supermarket ad. No longer would it be necessary to hunch over a computer or TV to see what’s on the screen. Crystalens and Restor advanced technology lenses add the potential to rejuvenate vision and add a more youthful, independent quality of life people have desired for many years.
People commonly misunderstand a cataract to be a “skin” on the eye that must be “peeled off.” A cataract is not a growth, but a normally clear lens inside the eye that has turned cloudy. Cataract surgery should be performed when cataracts interfere with a person’s ability to see for daily activities such as reading or driving. Cataracts interfere with vision by scattering light as it passes through the eye to the retina. This light dispersal causes blurred images, loss of contrast, glare, or starburst.
What Causes Cataracts?
Cataracts are usually a normal part of the aging process. Cataracts typically develop by the time a person reaches his or her 60s or 70s, although they can occur at younger ages or may exist at birth. Other cataract causes can include eye trauma, inflammation of the eye, or diabetes. Cataracts usually develop in both eyes, but they may develop at different rates. Fortunately, cataract surgery is now a relatively standard procedure.
When is Cataract Surgery Needed?
Surgery to remove cataracts is indicated when blurred vision interferes with enjoyment of activities that are important to you. Cataract surgery may be needed if you have trouble reading, enjoying hobbies, reading street signs, or driving because of blurred vision or glare from headlights.
