Cataracts: Symptoms and Treatment
A cataract is the clouding of the ocular lens, usually as a result of aging. In its early stages, cataracts exhibit few or no symptoms. However, given time, cataracts will worsen and symptoms will become increasingly noticeable and problematic.
Symptoms of Cataracts
As a cataract develops, you may notice a decrease in your visual acuity that, even when treated with glasses or contacts, cannot be fully corrected. Also, your vision may become blurred, dim, or clouded. Many patients report that cataracts have a greater impact on their night vision. In certain types of lighting, you may notice more glare, halos, and sometimes double vision in one eye. Cataracts may also affect the contrast between shadows and color vision. In addition, cataracts may cause your eyeglass prescription to change frequently.
Cataract Treatment Options
Cataracts do not typically harm the eye; so as long as cataracts aren’t disrupting your daily life, no major treatment is necessary. For cataracts in the early stages, treatment involves a few lifestyle modifications to help you with daily activities. Try these tips for easing any mild symptoms of early cataracts:
- Update your eyeglass prescription.
- Wear sunglasses and a broadly brimmed hat when outside to reduce glare.
- When doing work of any sort, be sure to maintain adequate lighting.
- For fine print and close work, a magnifying glass may help.
Once your cataracts have developed to the point that they are preventing you from performing necessary daily activities, like reading and driving a vehicle, it’s time to consider cataract surgery. During cataract surgery, your clouded ocular lens will be removed. Next, your eye surgeon will replace it with a permanent, artificial lens in order to help you focus light through your eye and onto your retina properly. At Eye Care Associates of St. Louis, cataract patients have the option of monofocal, multifocal or the new Crystalens® accommodating implant.
The staff of optometrists and ophthalmologists at Eye Care Associates of St. Louis are dedicated to providing you with a combination of cutting-edge technology and excellent service. Since 1894, Eye Care Associates of St. Louis has been proudly serving the St. Louis community. To schedule an appointment for an eye exam, new eyeglasses, or to explore your options with LASIK surgery (a laser eye surgery procedure), call Eye Care Associates of St. Louis at (314) 332-2768.
Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical advice. You should contact your doctor to obtain advice with respect to any particular medical issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create a doctor-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the medical office or any individual doctor or physician.
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