People generally associate smoking with numerous health related diseases, including cancer of the lungs. It is doubtful if they know that smoking can cause loss of vision, dry eye syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, AMD (age related macular degeneration), and cataracts. Those who smoke in excess of 15 cigarettes per day are more likely to suffer from AMD compared to non-smokers. Even passive smoking (people who inhale air polluted with cigarette smoke) increases age related macular degeneration.
Cigarette smoking also causes type 2 diabetes leading to diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease triggered by changes in retinal blood vessels, which can lead to blindness. Epidemilogical studies also suggest a relationship between systolic blood pressure and cataracts in certain cases. The same studies reveal a link between hypertension and glaucoma. Blood pressure can cause microvascular damages to the posterior ciliary circulation and to the anterior optic nerves as well. If you want to prevent damages to your vision, you should quit smoking immediately.
Although cataract is associated with older people, cigarette smoking can increase its onset. If you suffer from vision related problems, you should contact cataract doctors Fort Worth residents visit immediately. They will conduct certain tests with the help of specialized equipment such as an Oculus Pentacam, to determine whether you are suffering from AMD, glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, diabetic retinopathy or cataract and suggest remedial measures.
The cataract doctors Fort Worth residents frequently see use minimally invasive surgical treatment to remove cataract from the patient’s eyes, and replace the natural eye lens with an artificial one. It takes less than 20 minutes to complete this surgical procedure, which is carried out under local anesthesia. The ophthalmologist removes the cataract formation and replaces the natural eye lens with an artificial one, using a surgical process called phacoemulsification (commonly known as phaco). The surgeon makes a small incision on the side of your cornea and shatters the damaged and hardened lens with the help of an ultrasound emitting device.
In certain cases, he might use a femtosecond laser… a low intensity laser… for breaking the damaged lens. You might have an itchy sensation in your eyes post surgery… this is normal. However, you should refrain from rubbing your eyes since this can lead to inflammation of the same. Do not use any eye solution or medicines apart from those prescribed by the surgeon. Since your eyes are sensitive to harsh light for a short duration post surgery, you should wear sunglasses to protect them. There are no long term effects of cataract surgeries.
A good quality lens implant lasts permanently and does not require replacement. The ophthalmologist leaves the outer lining wall of the eye to hold the replacement lens. There are rare cases in which clouding forms on this lining after a couple of years post surgery. In such cases, the surgeon carries out a short and non invasive procedure, using a YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) laser to open a microscopic hole in the eye to restore normal vision. This procedure takes less than 15 minutes and you can continue normal activities after an hour. Stop smoking today to restrict vision related problems.
As aging is part of what causes cataracts, contacting the Marvel Eye Center today will steer you to good eye health. 817-346-7333