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Cataracts is a louding of the lens in the eye which leads to vision impairment. They often develop slowly and are usually painless. They can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms that patients may experience are blurry or double vision, halo around lights, sensitivity to bright lights, colours being less vibrant, and decreased night vision. For patients over the age of 40, cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision loss.
Cataracts can affect younger patients and even some babies are born with cataracts (called congenital cataracts); however, they usually develop as you age and your eyes' lenses naturally begin to harden. As this hardening occurs, the lens turns cloudy or white and begins to block light from reach your retina. The retina is located at the back of your eye and is what transmits visual information to your brain. This cloudiness and reduced light results incision impairment. This has often been described as similar to looking through a dirty car windshield.
Risk factors that can increase your chances of developing cataracts include obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes, eye injury and family history. If you notice any symptoms, scheduling an eye exam is recommended to ensure early treatment t omaintain proper vision. Your optometrist can monitor the progress of growth of your cataracts and recommend treatment and possibly surgery when it is required to maintain your vision.
Following is video from the National Eye Institute with more information about Cataracts
Wink I Wear Optometry is located in the heart of Kelowna’s Mission area on Richter Street. Call us at (250) 862-9465 to book an appointment to discuss your options for treatment for your cataracts today with our on-site optometrist, Dr. Tim Degelman.
(photo credit: https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/cataracts/ss/slideshow-cataracts)
