Cataracts
Cataracts are a cloudy area that develops in the lens of your eye. Specifically, the clear part of your eye that helps focus light. They are actually very common as people age. Almost half of all Americans over the age of 80 have cataracts. Or have had cataract surgery to get rid of them. This is something your optometrist in New Albany, MS, can help you with.
The Four Stages of Cataracts
1. Early
This is the very beginning of this condition. At this point, your eye’s lens will be clear. However, you might have a hard time focusing near and far. You might also experience slightly blurred vision, slight eye strain, and sensitivity.
2. Immature
At this stage, eye protein will make your eye a bit more cloudy. You will probably need prescription eyeglasses with an anti-glare coating to help you see better. You might also need to use brighter lights if you want to see clearly.
3. Mature
At this stage, your eye will be impaired quite significantly. And visual aids probably won’t help. Your eyes will also look visibly cloudy. This stage is considered the best time to have your cataract removed.
4. Hypermature
This is the final stage of a cataract. This is when your vision will be almost completely blocked. The lens will also have hardened. This makes it harder to remove. If you let your cataract progress past this stage, it could damage the optic nerve.
What Causes Cataracts?
The main causes are age and injury. However, there are other causes as well.
For example:
- Diabetes
- Smoking and drinking alcohol
- Family history
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
- Obesity
- Drugs
There are more. Your optometrist will look at your eyes and medical history to determine the cause of your specific case.
The Main Symptoms of Cataracts
Do you have blurry eyes? This is the main symptom of cataracts. Other symptoms include:
- Cloudy vision
- Poor night vision
- Bright lights that give off a glare or halo
- Double vision
- Faded colors
- Vision distortion in either eye
- Increased nearsightedness
Treating Cataracts
If you have cataracts, this is what will happen. Your optometrist will remove the cloudy lens from your eye and replace it with a clear artificial lens. This is outpatient surgery. And it’s safe.
Do This If You Want to Keep Cataracts from Progressing
Staying in the sun too long without sunglasses can speed up cataract progression. So if you need to be outside, always wear your sunglasses. Reducing the amount of ultraviolet rays that get into your eyes will help reduce your chances of getting cataracts.
Find an Optometrist in New Albany, MS
We’ll bet you would give anything to have crystal-clear vision again. If you have cataracts, you can. It’s a simple procedure, and we can help. Please Contact Weeden Eye Clinic today. Don’t look through that cloudy lens another day! Help is on the way!
