Three
Things Patients Should Know About Cataracts
Cataracts are an extremely common cause of vision
loss-especially as we grow older. In the U.S. some 25 million people have
cataracts which can often cause cloudy, blurry vision, dimming of vision, faded
or dulling of colors, glare and difficulty with night vision or in dim
lighting.
These symptoms may indicate the presence of cataracts, which affect about 70
percent of people by age 75. The good news for people with cataracts is that
they are corrected with cataract surgery and lens implants and restore
excellent vision and a better lifestyle. Things you should know about cataracts
include:
Age
Isn’t the Only Risk Factor for Cataracts. Pretty much everyone will develop
cataracts with age, many studies demonstrate that lifestyle and behavior can
influence when and how severely you develop cataracts. Diabetes, extensive
exposure to sunlight, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and certain
ethnicities have all been linked to increased risk of cataracts. Eye injuries,
prior eye surgery and long-term use of steroid medication can also result in
cataracts.
Cataracts
Cannot Be Prevented, But You Can Lower Your Risk. Always wear UV blocking sunglasses
and hats with brims when out in sunlight. Eating more Vitamin C-rich foods may
delay how fast cataracts form. Absolutely, avoid smoking cigarettes, which have
been shown to increase the risk of cataract development.
Cataract
Surgery Helps Improve More Than Your Vision. During cataract surgery, we replace the
natural clouded lens with a permanent artificial lens implant or called
an intraocular lens, or IOL, which should improve your vision
significantly and allow us to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and
astigmatism that you may have had before your procedure. In addition, we can
help you choose a lens implant that also provides you a range of clear vision
for arm’s length and near tasks such as for reading or using the computer.
Besides the vision benefits, cataract surgery has been shown to improve your
overall quality of life and reduce the risk of falling by providing more
comfortable and safer mobility.
If you or some you know is experiencing
cataract symptoms such as cloudy foggy vision, glare or difficult night driving
and would like to learn more about cataract surgery & lens implants please
schedule an appointment at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, P.C. in Birmingham
at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye &
Cataract Center,
Google or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.
Michelson Laser Vision, Inc. and Alabama Eye
& Cataract Center, P.C. are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located
at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and
staffed by UAB Medicine eye doctors and eye specialists.
