Have You Been Diagnosed With Cataracts?
Posted by: Eyecare Associates of New Orleans in Eye Health on April 25, 2023
If you have been diagnosed by your eye doctor with a cataract, you are not alone. According to the National Eye Institute, cataracts affect over 24.4 million Americans aged 40 and older. We are here for you to ensure you have the best support for your cataract diagnosis.
Here are a few recommendations from the American Academy of Ophthalmology to follow once diagnosed with a cataract.
- Schedule your eye exam every year if you’re older than 65 or every two years if you are younger.
- Wear sunglasses and protect your eyes that block at least 99 percent from UV light and a hat.
- If you smoke, it is time to quit. Smoking is a key risk factor for cataracts.
- Use brighter lights for reading and other activities. A magnifying glass may be helpful to use.
- Limit your driving at night once your vision changes, when you start seeing halos or glare, which can affect driving safety.
- Talk with your primary doctor about any other health problems, especially diabetes.
- When it becomes challenging to complete your regular activities, consider cataract surgery.
Make an informed decision about cataract surgery. Have a discussion with your eye doctor that includes the following topics:
- what is the preparation process for recovery after cataract surgery
- what are the benefits and possible complications of cataract surgery
- what are the cataract surgery costs
Cataract Treatment
How can cataracts be removed? Cataracts can be removed only with surgery. If your cataract symptoms are not bothering you, talk with your eye doctor to see when your best time is to remove the cataract. Your eye doctor can suggest options that will best suit your needs.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery?
During cataract surgery, your eye surgeon will remove your eye’s cloudy natural lens. Then your eye surgeon will replace it with an artificial lens. This new lens is called an intraocular lens (or IOL). When you decide to have cataract surgery, your doctor will educate you about IOLs and how they work.
Cataracts are a reason people lose their vision, but looking on the positive side, you should be confident knowing that cataracts can be treated. There is no reason you have to suffer vision loss in this day and age when this specific diagnosis can easily be reversed. Talk with your eye doctor about your cataract symptoms, and together you can decide whether you are ready for cataract surgery. We are here to assist you with any questions you may have as you learn all the facts about cataracts and make the best decision for yourself. We make a great team with our patients!
We LOVE Our Patients, and THANK YOU for being part of our practice family!
References: American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Optometric Association. This blog provides information and discussion about eye health and related subjects. The content provided in this blog and any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, they should consult with an appropriately licensed physician.
