Cataract Testing & Treatment in Fort Myers

If you know or suspect you have cataracts, you’re fortunate that you will find the best cataract testing and treatment in Fort Myers at Elmquist Eye Group.

Cataracts are a natural part of aging. By age 60, many people have begun to form cataracts, but likely don’t have any symptoms if the cataracts are relatively new. In fact, cataracts are usually first discovered during one of our in-depth eye examinations.

What is a cataract exam like?

A cataract examination is actually very similar to the general eye exam you are used to every year. In addition to performing an overall eye health assessment, doctors also do a few additional tests. In particular, the doctor will test your vision under both low lighting and in a glare lighting situation (called visual acuity tests). Both of these lighting conditions frequently cause vision problems when you have cataracts. In particular, the glare test will help assess vision issues you may have with night driving, such as seeing halos around oncoming headlights.

We will also do what is likely your least favorite part of any eye exam – dilate your eyes. The dilation of your pupils is critical in helping us determine both the origin and the progression or severity of the cataract.

Our doctors will also ask you details about any difficulties you are having with your vision, such as difficulties in reading, driving, work or recreational activities. Naturally, we need to have a general health history, which is important because certain disease can accelerate the development of cataracts as well as affect your post-surgery prognosis and healing time. We will also need a list of any medications you are taking to determine whether they will impact the surgical decision or the procedure itself.

Am I a candidate for surgery?

Surgery is the only treatment for a cataract. Initially, changing your eyeglasses prescription may do the trick in correcting any blurry vision you might be experiencing. Wearing sunglasses will help with the light sensitivity that people with cataracts often experience. Yet, surgery is the only permanent remedy for a cataract.

Cataracts should never go untreated because they can lead to vision loss. In fact, cataracts are the leading cause of loss of vision in people over the age of 55.

During the surgical procedure, surgeons remove the natural lens that has been clouded with the protein deposits that form the cataract. The natural lens is replaced with a new artificial lens called an Intraocular Lens (IOL).

The good news is that the large majority of people are good candidates for the surgery. Once we determine that you are a good candidate, we will provide further education for you regarding what to expect from the surgery and instructions for your post-surgery recovery. Most of all, we will educate you on the various options for IOL lens implants. We have implants that can correct vision and even protect your eyes from UV radiation.

The Elmquist Difference

Don’t leave your cataracts untreated and let them rob you of your precious sight. Millions of people have the surgery each year, and our surgeons at Elmquist Eye Group perform many surgeries in the Fort Myers area. Many local eye doctors recommend their patients to Elmquist due to our trusted reputation.

Your cataracts are treatable. Give us a call today so we can start treating you as our next new patient.