At Ighani Eye Care, we want all of our patients to enjoy their best possible vision at every stage of life. As June is Cataract Awareness Month, we want to take this opportunity to educate our amazing patient family about the risk factors and symptoms of cataracts, when you should see your doctor and finally, when is the best time to have cataract surgery.
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens that most often occurs as you age. This cloudiness blocks and distorts light passing through the eye, making your vision cloudy and blurry. Over time, if left untreated, the cataract will grow larger and cloud more of the lens.
We explain it to patients this way: Think of the lens as a windshield of a car. If you drive that car long enough, the windshield will become dirty, and you’ll have a hard time seeing through it. This is because as light hits the windshield, it scatters, making it hard to see, especially at night with the light from oncoming traffic. The development of cataracts is a similar process!
How Common Is it to Get Cataracts?
Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness among older Americans. Currently, cataracts affect more than 25 million people in the U.S. aged 40 and older. And more than half of all Americans will have cataracts by the time they are 80 years old.
What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?
Symptoms can vary from person to person, and not every person will experience every symptom listed here, but the most common symptoms of cataracts include:
- Glare from headlights, lamps or sunlight
- Poor night vision, especially when driving
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Bright colors appear dull
- Halos around lights
- Frequent prescription changes in your glasses
- Difficulty reading in low light
If you have any of these symptoms, please schedule a cataract evaluation with one of our experienced eye doctors, because they could be signs of cataract development, but they could also be signs of other eye problems.
When Should I Have Cataract Surgery?
Many of our more senior patients ask us this question and when they do, we like to tell them this: When cataracts begin to affect your everyday life in a negative way, that’s when it is time to see your doctor about having your cataracts removed.
For example, if you are no longer able to enjoy the things you love, like golfing, reading, traveling or crafting, or no longer feel confident driving (especially at night), we would love to perform a cataract evaluation for you. Additionally, yearly eye exams allow us to follow and monitor the cataracts and are helpful in determining when to start talking to a patient about cataract surgery.
If our experienced clinical team determines that you or your loved one is indeed dealing with cataracts, you have nothing to fear. We will work with you every step of your journey.
What Should I Expect From Cataract Surgery?
Expect improved vision! More than two million men and women just like you undergo cataract surgery every year, making the procedure one of the most common and successful medical procedures in the U.S. today.
During cataract surgery at Ighani Eye Care, you will be given a light anesthesia through an IV that will help you feel relaxed. Most people don’t remember the surgery once it is finished.
After the anesthesia takes effect, Dr. Ighani will gently remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear artificial lens that is designed to last the rest of your life. The procedure is done one eye at a time and is virtually painless! You won’t be able to feel the new lens, and it can’t be seen. This new lens is designed to stay in your eye permanently. The entire procedure takes just a few minutes.
Upgrade Your Vision with a Premium Lens
Major advances in the field of ophthalmology allow people just like you to continue to live life the way they want to live it after cataract surgery. At Ighani Eye Care, we offer a variety of premium lens implants that can correct your cataracts AND decrease your dependency on glasses or bifocals. Win-win!
Your cataract evaluation will tell us everything we need to know about your unique ocular situation and which lenses you may be a good candidate for.
I Care. You’ll See.
It’s all about the care at Ighani Eye Care. Whether you are a new patient or we have served you and your family for years, our goal is the same: to make sure you receive the highest level of care while being treated with respect, honor and warmth. We care! You’ll see! Schedule your cataract evaluation today.
