How to Treat and Prevent Cataracts
If you have always had healthy eyes and good vision, you can count yourself as one of the lucky ones, but if you're like many, your eyes and vision have seen a few bumps along the way. Sometimes these imperfections are so small or develop so gradually that you don't notice there is an issue until damage has already been done. One of the conditions to watch for is cataracts, a type of cloud that forms over the eye's natural lens. Fortunately, you can see the Doctors of Optometry at Family Vision Center in Stratford and Bridgeport, CT who can determine whether cataracts have been forming on your eyes and who can likely help to reverse the effects if cataracts are caught soon enough.
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts occur because there is an improper distribution of the water and proteins over the eye which causes cloudiness in your vision. In most cases, this develops slowly are difficult to notice. This condition tends to occur in adults over age 55, although one type of cataract can show up in infants and young children.
Typical symptoms of cataracts include:
- Blurred vision
- Increased sensitivity to glare or bright lights
- Difficulty seeing a night
- Less intensity to colors around you
- Change to your ability to see up close or far away
When these symptoms occur, many think little of them, passing them off as "just part of getting older," but it could mean that one of three types of cataracts are developing. These include
- Nuclear - these form in the center of your eye's natural lens causing it to darken and turn yellow or brown
- Cortical - Affects the layer just around the center, a bit like spokes on a bicycle.
- Posterior - Affects the back outer edge of the lens, and can develop faster than other types of cataracts.
Managing Your Risk for Cataracts
Cataracts happen to a lot of people, but they don't have to be inevitable. There are many ways you and your optometrist can work together to manage your risk of cataracts and the vision obstruction they cause.
The biggest risk factor for cataracts is getting older, and while there may be little that you or your optometrist can do to stop time from passing, you can take steps to limit your risks. Your doctor of optometry can help by providing regular examinations and lenses that help support healthy vision throughout your life.
Some things that increase your risk include:
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Alcohol Use
- Nutritional Deficiency- lack of Vitamins C and E and other antioxidants can increase risk.
- UV Radiation- Keeping your eyes protected with proper sunglasses or other UV blocking lenses can reduce exposure.
- Early Detection through a comprehensive eye exam can determine if cataracts are developing, and can increase the amount of restored vision possible through surgery.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
If you suspect you may be developing cataracts, or if you just want to protect your eyes for the future, we invite you to make an appointment at Family Vision Center with one of our Doctors of Optometry in our Bridgeport location at (203) 333-2020 or at our Stratford location at (203) 377-2020. We hope to see you soon in our Stratford and Bridgeport offices!