Cataracts occur when natural proteins in the eye break down. Scientists don’t know exactly why cataracts occur, but they do know that these changes in protein structures occur over many years. Over time, the lens becomes cloudy and as the cataract becomes larger, it interferes with vision. Eventually, surgery is needed, and you can visit Elmquist Eye Group, the best cataract surgeons near Leigh Acres, Florida.
More about cataracts
Most adults over age 65 will have a cataract, which can be worsened by excessive exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun. People with diabetes or those who smoke may develop cataracts more quickly, and certain steroid medications and long-term statin use can also cause a cataract to grow more quickly.
As the cataract becomes more dense, your vision will become more cloudy. You may need stronger glasses or contact lenses, and you may notice more difficulty driving at night or seeing in the glare of sunlight. A person can have a cataract in one or both eyes, but may not have any vision abnormalities until cataracts become fairly significant in both eyes.
Cataracts definitely develop slowly. They have no symptoms. They don’t cause pain or other symptoms. Most patients don’t even notice any substantial vision loss. A cataract is usually only diagnosed as part of a comprehensive eye exam. Our Elmquist physicians can see lens abnormalities by using special instruments during the eye exam. We can also get a sense of how much the cataract may be affecting your vision. We will typically perform a visual acuity test, as well as a contrast sensitivity and glare sensitivity test and color vision test as well. We can tell our patients how much vision loss is due to the cataract.
Our thorough eye examination also includes a detailed look at other parts of the eye, so we can look for other eye diseases like glaucoma or macular degeneration, and early signs of diabetes which are often first detected in the eye.
Cataract surgery
Cataracts develop differently in different patients. Sometimes, the cataracts remain less dense, so they never interfere with vision. However, when a cataract becomes advanced and interferes with vision, we will likely recommend that you proceed with surgery. We can give you a good idea of how much vision restoration you will gain with the surgery. Many patients have vision loss only due to the cataract, so removing the cataract fully restores vision. If you have other vision issues like nearsightedness in addition to a cataract, we can replace your lens with a vision-correcting lens. Significant technological advances have been achieved in recent years with lenses, so we can offer many solutions to fix a wide array of vision issues.
When it is time for surgery, you can trust the Elmquist Eye Group. We will advise you on the decision and timing of proceeding with your surgery and create an individualized plan for your treatment and recovery. Come see our cataract surgeons near Leigh Acres, Florida. We are ready for you to be our next new patient.