Have you noticed with age that your vision has become blurrier, darker and less vibrant? You’re not alone. Millions of people are dealing with cataracts each year. Cataracts are unfortunately a fact of life – something almost everyone will deal with at some point in their lives. Luckily, cataract surgery has come a long way and is now one of the safest and most routine surgeries worldwide.
What are Cataracts?
Behind your iris and pupil is a small, naturally clear lens. This lens is responsible for bending and focusing light onto the retina. Normally, this lens is crystal clear. With age, the proteins that make up a large amount of this lens begin to clump together. This is how a cataract develops. As time goes on, these protein clumps begin to overtake the lens. The lens becomes cloudy, and vision can appear distorted and dark. When left untreated, cataracts can result in blindness.
The most obvious symptom of cataracts is a progressive blurry vision. It may not be noticeable at first, but over time you will begin to notice that everyday tasks become more difficult.
Other cataract symptoms include:
- Sensitivity to light
- Double vision in one eye
- Poor night vision
- Fading or yellowing of colors
- A painless blurring of vision
- Frequent changes in a contact lens or glasses prescriptions
During an annual eye examination, your doctor should be able to diagnose cataract in any stage. Catching cataracts early can be helpful in determining the best time for surgery. Cataracts can be removed at any point, but most doctors will recommend waiting until they start affecting your daily life.
Cataract surgery is the only method of treatment proven to get rid of cataracts. Cataract surgery is extremely safe and millions of people undergo it each year. Your surgeon will remove the cataract-affected lens and replace it with a clear artificial lens. If you suspect you have cataracts or if you are due for an eye examination, be sure to contact Dr. Cheema today!