Cataracts

Despite advancements in optometry, cataracts remain the most common cause of vision loss in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Slowing the progression of cataracts is a top priority for Barbara Dune, OD, and the team at Serenity I Care in Hartford, Connecticut. Early intervention can help preserve your vision if you have cataracts. Call the optometry clinic today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What are cataracts?

Cataracts occur when the natural lenses in your eyes become cloudy. The lens is the part of the eye behind the iris (the colored portion) that focuses light into the back of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue that sends information to the optic nerve. As proteins in your lens break down, they block light from reaching the retina and fog up the lens.

Without intervention, cataracts cause blurry vision that can feel like looking through a foggy or dirty window. Cataracts usually affect both eyes, but they can develop in one quicker than the other. Most cataracts are progressive, meaning they don’t resolve on their own. Proper treatment is essential to protect your vision and eye health.

What are the signs of cataracts?

The signs of cataracts can vary depending on the disease’s progression. While cataracts may be subtle at first, the condition typically causes symptoms such as:

• Blurry vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Increased nearsightedness
• Seeing bright lights, halos, or glares
• Double vision
• Seeing faded colors
• Yellowing colors

Once cataracts progress, you may need a stronger prescription to see clearly when reading, driving, or viewing objects at a distance. 

What causes cataracts?

Cataracts develop when the proteins that make up the eye’s natural lens break down. As a result, the lens becomes cloudy and unclear. While there is no single cause of cataracts, certain factors can increase your risk of developing the condition, such as:

• Diabetes
• Tobacco use
• Corticosteroid use
• Eye surgery
• Sun exposure
• Certain tranquilizers and diuretics 
• Exposure to high altitudes

Cataracts can occur at any age, but they’re highly common in individuals between the ages of 40 and 50 or older.

How are cataracts diagnosed?

The optometrists at Serenity I Care perform multiple tests to diagnose cataracts, including:

• Dilated eye exam
• Tonometry to measure eye pressure
• Ultrasound
• Slit-lamp exam (a microscope with a bright light)

After a thorough examination, the team can determine whether you have cataracts and, if so, create a comprehensive treatment plan.

What are the treatments for cataracts?

Prescription eyeglasses can help improve your eyesight if you have cataracts. However, the most effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. 

Cataract surgery involves removing your natural lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). This procedure can improve your visual acuity and minimize the symptoms of cataracts.

Call Serenity I Care today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about cataracts.