Do You Know the Facts about Cataracts?

• Posted on: Jul 30 2020
• By: editor

Eye health is not localized around how sharp our vision is. Although it can feel like quite the accomplishment to maintain 20/20 vision, there is much more to enjoying lifelong eye health than annual eye exams. Your ophthalmologist performs comprehensive exams that screen for some of the most common and hard-to-recognize conditions. Because eye diseases like cataracts can severely affect vision and quality of life, it is necessary to understand the various aspects of them, including risks and treatment. Here, we outline some of the facts about cataracts that we think every adult should know.

Did You Know This About Cataracts?

• Cataracts are not growths on the eye, they are more like a sheet of proteins. The disease begins with tiny protein particles sticking to the lens of the eye. Where there is one particle stuck, more will accumulate. Over time, this leads to significantly clouded vision.
• Cataracts represent the most common cause of preventable blindness. It has been estimated that 1 in 6 Americans over the age of 40 have cataracts. Half of all people aged 80 and older have cataracts.
• Cataracts are not an “older person” problem. As we see in our statistics, it is quite common for the condition to begin around middle-age. In addition to age-related changes in the eyes, the risk factors of cataracts include smoking, alcohol consumption, high blood pressure, diabetes, and sun exposure without the protection of sunglasses.
• Cataracts do not immediately cause vision to become cloudy, which is why it can be difficult to recognize the onset of this problem early. Warning signs are subtle and include seeing halos around lights, having poor night vision, and not seeing colors as vibrantly as you once did.
• Cataracts can cause significant vision impairment. However, this can be reversed by replacing the clouded lens with an intraocular lens made of ultra-thin synthetic material. Cataract removal surgery is one of the most commonly performed eye procedures. It is safe, fast, and effective.

Roholt Vision Institute is proud to serve residents of North Canton, Alliance, and Canfield. Contact an office near you to schedule a visit.

Posted in: Cataract