If you or someone you love is experiencing cloudy or blurred vision, double vision, lens discoloration, light sensitivity, glare and/or halos, cataracts may be the cause. While you may find this news disheartening, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, cataracts are more common than you might think.
By age 80, more than half of all Americans have experienced cataracts. But cataracts aren’t exclusive to seniors. More than 22 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts. By the year 2020, it’s estimated more than 30 million Americans will have cataracts. Cataracts aren’t necessarily becoming more common; people are simply living longer, and cataracts tend to occur naturally with age.
So, if you suspect you have cataracts, what should you do about it?
Cataracts will not get better over time, they will only get worse. There are no prescription pills or over-the-counter cataract remedies. The only thing that can be done to correct cataracts is surgery. It’s scary, I know. No one wants to undergo surgery, particularly on your eyes. Don’t worry, with today’s technology, cataract surgery is painless and recovering your vision can happen in just a few hours.
The first thing to do is schedule an eye exam. An eye physician will be able to quickly diagnose whether you have cataracts and, if so, whether you need surgery at this stage. Surgery may not be necessary until cataracts directly impact your quality of life.
If surgery is called for, your eye physician will walk you through the surgical options. Laser-assisted cataract surgery will likely be recommended due to its reduced trauma, better prognosis and reduced recovery time. Technology like the LenSx laser-assisted cataract surgical system used by Dr. Gregory Snodgrass at Gainesville Eye Physicians delivers pain-free cataract surgery with outstanding results for a variety of patients.
If you or a loved one would like a cataract evaluation, contact us and schedule an appointment today.