Cataracts
Cataracts are a very common, age-related eye health issue that affects more than half of Americans over the age of 80. They occur when the lenses inside your eyes go from being transparent and clear to opaque and cloudy. At Primary Eyecare & Optical of Meridian, our optometrists and eye care specialists have years of experience helping people manage and understand their cataracts.
Understanding Cataracts
What Are They
Cataracts occur when the lens inside your eyes, which sit directly behind the colored irises, go from transparent to opaque. Often caused as a consequence of aging, the fibers making up the lenses become clumpy and structurally disrupted, leading to a “foggy window” effect. Other risk factors aside from aging include smoking, alcohol use, diabetes, family history, and excessive sun exposure.
Signs of Cataracts
Cataracts and its symptoms typically develop slowly. The primary symptom of cataracts is a blurry vision at both near and far distances. Additional symptoms may include colors appearing to fade, impaired night vision, increased sensitivity to glare and bright lights, halos around bright lights, double vision, and frequent eyeglasses prescription changes.
Treatment
If cataracts are identified during a comprehensive eye exam before symptoms become noticeable, our team can give you tips on changing behavior that may be increasing your risk for cataracts, including smoking or not wearing UV-protected sunglasses while outside. Although they cannot be cured, cataracts can be managed. The team at Primary Eyecare & Optical of Meridian can prescribe you appropriate eyeglasses or implement low vision strategies to help you better navigate everyday life. In later stages, cataracts can be removed and replaced surgically in a relatively easy operation.