4 Things You May Not Know About Cataracts
September 7th, 2017
A cataract begins to form when the proteins in the lens of your eye begin to clump together, causing the lens to become cloudy. It is an incredibly common eye disease and early treatment and detection are important for maintaining your vision. Let’s look at four things you may not know about cataracts:
- Cataracts are number one cause of blindness
It is surprising how many people know very little about cataracts considering how common it is. Cataracts are the number one cause of blindness in the world, beating out both glaucoma and macular degeneration. Roughly 53 million people around the world are affected by cataracts.
- You can’t prevent cataracts from forming
There are ways you can minimize your risk of developing cataracts but there is no way to prevent them completely. Good lifestyle choices are important and can play a big role in maintaining the health of your eyes. But unfortunately, by age 80 half of all Americans will have developed a cataract.
- Cataracts don’t just affect the elderly
Cataracts are commonly thought of as a disease that only affects the elderly. It’s true that they are more common in people over the age of 65. But that doesn’t mean you are in the clear — people of all ages can develop cataracts. This is why it is so important to maintain yearly eye exams and familiarize yourself with the warning signs of cataracts.
- Cataract surgery is the best cataract treatment available
We understand how scary the idea of surgery is for many people. But cataract surgery is incredibly quick and safe and it is the best treatment option for cataracts available. During cataract surgery, your doctor will remove the cloudy lens of your eye and replace it with a clear artificial lens. Most people find that cataract surgery improves their vision and minimizes their need for glasses or contacts.
Learning to live with cataracts can be incredibly challenging but you don’t have to go through it alone. If you would like more information on managing your cataracts or cataract surgery, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
