Eye Specialist for Cataracts Fort Myers
If you are over age 60, chances are one of your friends around the same age has had cataracts. Do you have a cataract? How would you even know? In this article, we explore some of the most common signs of a cataract. If you suspect that you indeed do have a cataract, you will need an eye specialist for cataracts in Fort Myers. Look no further than southwest Florida’s trusted Elmquist Eye Group for all your eye care needs.
Top Three Cataract Symptoms
Our patients consistently report these symptoms.
- Unusually blurry vision
Blurry vision can be caused by something as simple as dry eye, but also may be more indicative that there is an issue with the eye lens, such as a cataract. Contrary to popular belief, a cataract is not a disease but a natural protein breakdown in the eye. This breakdown occurs as people age, and the proteins clump onto the eye lens, scatter light, and cause vision issues.
- Reduced night vision
Many of our patients first notice vision issues at night. The pupil must dilate at night to let in more light, and many patients notice that they have much more trouble seeing at night. It is more difficult to make out objects and they have more trouble seeing at a distance. This vision difficulty could simply mean that you need a stronger prescription for your eyeglasses or contact lenses, but it can also be an indicator of cataracts.
- Glare when driving
A related symptom to #2 is that you see glare when driving at night. Oncoming headlights become much more problematic. Some of this is due to the new technology of car headlights. The LED light is a higher intensity light that can increase glare. However, glare can also be an indicator for conditions like dry eye and even cataracts. Because cataracts cause light to scatter on the eye lens, glare and halos around lights can be an issue.
The Remedy
Regular eye exams are the best remedy. If you are over age 60, we recommend annual eye exams. We can adjust for gradual changes in your vision to ensure that you have the best prescription for clear vision – day or night.
Once the cataract becomes large enough to significantly interfere with vision, surgery will be needed. Cataracts can affect one or both eyes, but we only perform surgery in one eye at a time. Cataract surgery is a short outpatient surgery, so a friend or family member can drive you home the same day. We will send you home with a protective eye shield to wear at night and a pair of sunglasses to protect your eye from glare on the drive home.
If you suspect you have a cataract, and you are worried about it, come see our Elmquist eye specialist for cataracts in Fort Myers. We are ready for you to be our next new patient. We will answer all your questions and concerns, so give us a call today to ask questions and schedule an appointment.