Cataract Care

Do you or someone you know suspect cataracts? Don’t worry, it’s common.  In fact, over half of all Americans will have had a cataract before they turn 80. It’s a natural part of the aging process.

Cataracts are also easily treatable. Upon diagnosis, there are several options that can improve your vision immediately, including lights and magnifying glasses. However, as cataracts progress, you will eventually reach a point where cataract surgery is necessary to restore clear vision. The good news is that modern cataract surgery is extremely safe and effective.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Cataracts develop differently for everyone, but most people won’t even notice at first. Gradually, your lens will become cloudier, until it begins to show visual symptoms such as:

• blurry vision.
• cloudy vision.
• glare or halos.
• rapid prescription changes

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, we’d be happy to take a look and see if it’s anything of concern.

Am I at Risk?

To put it frankly, yes.  Everyone, regardless of age or heredity, will develop some clouding of his or her vision.  That being said, there are some circumstances that could suggest earlier cataract development or accelerated cataract progression.  Some of these signs are:

• Family history of cataracts.
• Diabetes.
• Alcoholism.
• Smoking.
• Other eye diseases.
• Excessive UV exposure.
• Radiation exposure (such as with cancer treatment)

Even if you suffer from any of the conditions above, you shouldn’t be concerned.  Cataracts usually develop slowly and in the vast majority of cases are easily treatable. 

Treatment Options

As mentioned earlier, the only permanent correction for cataracts is to undergo cataract surgery.  There are some bridge options such as powerful eyeglasses and special lighting that can prolog surgery, but they don’t correct the problem. 
Traditional cataract surgery is safe and effective, and will remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear one.  The results are virtually instant, although the patient will still have to wear glasses to see clearly.

Victoria Eye Center also offers advanced ‘Premium Cataract Surgery’ with one of our many Lifestyle Lens options. These are custom lenses engineered to restore a wide range of vision, both up close and far, and reduce, or even eliminate, the need for reading glasses!