Cataracts
Cataracts are a clouding of the lens inside the eye. Cataracts cause diminished vision because light has to pass through this lens to reach the light receptors on the retina that are responsible for vision. When the light rays hit cataracts they tend to be absorbed or dispersed causing glare and diminished vision.
Prevention of Cataracts
The best way to slow down or prevent the development of cataracts is to protect your eyes from ultraviolet light exposure. This means wearing sunglasses and, depending on the type of sunglasses, a hat with a brim. It is important that the sunglasses you use, either wrap around your eyes, or the temples of the frame and front of the glasses are large enough to block peripheral light rays from reaching your eye. This is because the clear front part of your eye, called the cornea, will bend this light so it travels into your eye, hitting the lens inside your eye and contributing to the development of cataracts. You can also protect your eyes from ultraviolet light by using some types of contact lenses that have a ultraviolet light blocking substance incorporated within the contact lens. In addition to ultraviolet protection, a good diet, and quitting smoking if you are a smoker, are also important factors that can minimize your risk of developing cataracts.
Treatment of Cataracts
If you have been diagnosed with cataracts, it is important to follow our recommendations to slow cataract progression and receive follow-up evaluation to maintain good vision and so the cataracts can be treated at the appropriate time. We will carefully monitor your vision and the cataracts progress, and if surgery becomes necessary we will refer you to a local cataract surgeon who we have great confidence in. While no surgery is without risk, procedure for cataracts is very common and very successful. We will explain the procedure to you and answer all of your questions. We work closely with your surgeon so you are able to receive your preoperative and postoperative care right here in our office if you like.