What You to Know About Cataracts Provided by Our Optometry and Ophthalmology Specialists
According to Natural Eye Institute, over half of all Americans have a cataract or had surgery to remove it, all of which were by the age of eighty. Cataracts are a common problem, and can interfere with your sight. At Overlake EyeCare, serving Bellevue and surrounding areas, our doctors can diagnose and provide corrective eye care for cataracts.
Definition of a Cataract
A cataract is a clouding over the clear lens of your eye. The clear lens aid in passing light through the retina. When the lens becomes clouded, images will appear blurry. In a majority of cases, people can develop a cataract due to age. It either arises from protein clumping in the retina, or an injury changes the makeup of the tissues. Certain people are at a greater risk for cataracts, including those with diabetes as well as those who smoke or consume alcohol. If you receive a great deal of sun exposure, you have a higher chance of developing a cataract.
Symptoms of a Cataract
You may develop a cataract in only one eye, but it's possible to have a cataract in both eyes. It might start out as only a small blurred area in your vision, but it can grow overtime. You may experience the following symptoms:
- Colors seem to fade
- Glare, lamps, sunlight, or headlights may look brighter to you
- See a halo around lights
- Poor night vision
- Double vision
- Changes in eyewear prescription that has become frequent
Diagnosing a Cataract
Our eye care specialists will first perform a visual acuity test to determine whether you have any vision impairment. Then, our doctors will look into your eye structures with a slit lamp. The microscope helps detect abnormalities in your cornea. Finally, our optometry or ophthalmology specialists may dilate your eyes to make it easier to see the back of the eye.
Treating a Cataract
If the cataract is at its early stages, our doctors can prescribe corrective eyewear to help you see clearly. If it worsens to the point where corrective eyewear isn't enough, we may suggest cataract surgery. One of our ophthalmologists can remove the clouded lens and replace it with an artificial one.
