What is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. The lens works much like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye. As we age, some of the protein making up the lens may clump together and start to cloud a small area. This is a cataract, and over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see. Make sure you are getting regular cataract evaluations and exams.
Symptoms of Cataracts
At first, a cataract has little effect on your vision. You may notice that your vision is blurred a little, like looking through a cloudy piece of glass or viewing an impressionist painting. However, as cataracts worsen, you are likely to notice some or all of these problems:
- Blurred vision that cannot be corrected with a change in your glasses prescription.
- Ghost images or double vision in one or both eyes.
- Glare from sunlight and artificial light, including oncoming headlights when driving at night.
- Colors appear faded and less vibrant.
Treatment for Cataracts
When symptoms of cataracts begin to appear, you may be able to improve your vision for a while using new glasses, stronger bifocals and greater light when reading. But when these remedies fail to provide enough benefit, it?s time for cataract surgery.
It’s best to talk with your eye care provider before cataract surgery. At Val Vista Vision, we offer both pre-surgery cataract evaluations to help you determine the best course of action, as well as post-operative follow-up exams. If you are experiencing symptoms of cataracts, contact us for an appointment to begin the evaluation process.