Cataracts are typically an eye disease of advancing age, although congenital defects, excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, and certain medications can also cause them. If you have cataracts, then it means that the lens of your eye is cloudy. Cataracts can develop in one or both of your eyes and they can cause dim or blurred vision and make bright colors look dull. If not treated, cataracts can eventually lead to total vision loss. Here are some treatment options to help enhance your vision if you have cataracts.
Conservative Treatment Options
Your optometrist can increase the lens power of your eyeglasses to help you see better if you have cataracts. A stronger eyeglass prescription can help improve both near vision and far vision, however, if the lens power is increased too much, your eyeglass lenses may become excessively thick and heavy. In addition, because cataracts can cause excessive glare, your eye doctor may recommend that your glasses be made with an anti-glare coating or special tint.
You can also try taking special vitamins to help support eye health. These vitamins typically contain the nutrient known as lutein which can help slow the progression of cataracts and help prevent the development of other eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.
Cataract Surgery
If conservative treatments for cataracts are ineffective, your doctor may recommend cataract surgery. During cataract surgery, your doctor removes the cataract (cloudy lens) and replaces it with a clear plastic implant called an intraocular lens implant. During cataract surgery you are awake and the procedure generally takes less than an hour. While you can go home soon after the procedure has been completed, you will need to have someone drive you home because you will have a protective shield over your eye.
After your eye has healed, your vision will probably be markedly improved. Colors will seem much brighter and you may no longer experience excessive glare when looking at bright lights. While you can have both of your cataracts removed at the same time, your doctor may recommend getting them done separately depending on your personal situation, including whether or not you have someone to help you at home.
If you have cataracts, discuss the above treatment options with your eye doctor. After a complete eye examination, your doctor will recommend which treatment option is right for you. Treating eye diseases early may help slow their progression and help lower your risk for total vision loss.
If you are suffering from vision loss, contact your local eye doctor.
