Cataracts: Symptoms and Treatment in New Orleans
A cataract is identified by the clouding of your eye’s naturally clear lens. When a person is diagnosed with cataracts, they will likely notice slow, disruptive changes to their vision. Cataracts are a condition most often diagnosed in older people who have had them for a while. Over 50% of Americans older than the age of 80 have the condition or have had surgery to remove their cataracts.
Cataracts Symptoms
The eye’s light-sensitive membrane loses flexibility with age. Consequently, the lens becomes thicker and less transparent. Because the process happens slowly, most of those who have cataracts do not notice right away. The cloudiness that develops may only appear in a small area of the eye, making the person unaware of any vision loss. As the cataract grows, the condition distorts the light passing through the lens and obscures vision. The following are other signs and symptoms of cataracts:
- Difficulty with night vision
- Light sensitivity
- Cloudy, blurry, or dim vision
- Double vision in one eye
- Faded colors
- Frequent need for a prescription change
- Seeing light “halos”
Cataracts Treatment and Prevention
The only available treatment for cataracts is surgery to replace the cloudy lens with a clear, artificial lens. The good news is that, with the right prevention methods, a person diagnosed with cataracts may be able to slow down the process.
- UV Ray Protection. Protecting your eyes from ultraviolet rays may significantly reduce your chances of developing cataracts. Sunglasses, photochromic lenses, and wide-brimmed hats are all ways to block UV rays when you are outdoors.
