Step Out of the Fog By Saying Yes to Cataract Surgery
September 15, 2023
Do you have cataracts? Have you noticed that your vision is steadily declining because of them?
Cataracts can be very frustrating. But they affect a lot of people.
Most people will develop cataracts at some point in their life. You may think of cataracts as only something only the elderly deal with, but this simply isn't true.
Did you know that by being over 40, you're at an increased risk of developing them? Although cataracts typically mature very slowly, they can steal your sight completely once they become advanced.
But there's good news: you can treat cataracts with cataract surgery. Cataract surgery allows you to regain any vision you may have lost due to cataracts by removing them and the natural lens where they form.
If you have cataracts and struggle to see because of them, you should consider cataract surgery. Keep reading to discover why you can step out of the fog by saying yes to cataract surgery!
What are Cataracts?
What is a cataract? Cataracts form on the eye's natural lens.
The lens, which is supposed to be clear, becomes cloudy, making it much harder to see through. Cataracts tend to develop slowly and may take years to mature fully.
As you get older, your chances of developing advanced cataracts also increase. Although cataracts are primarily associated with aging, they can also be related to other factors, like experiencing trauma due to an eye injury, use of corticosteroids, or diabetes.
Cataract Symptoms
Cataracts can cause a variety of visual symptoms, including:
- Blurry vision
- Poor night vision, making it more challenging to drive
- Glare
- Halos around lights
- Light sensitivity
- Decreased color contrast
- Increased injuries due to worsening vision
When you first develop cataracts, you may not have any symptoms initially. Symptoms usually appear gradually over time since cataracts develop slowly, making them hard to notice.
But eventually, these symptoms can get so severe that you can hardly see. The only way to reverse this vision loss is through cataract surgery.
When to Have Cataract Surgery
When you're first diagnosed with cataracts, there's a good chance you won't need cataract surgery immediately. As there are few symptoms in the early stages, you can have cataracts and continue living with them, at least in the short term.
Because cataracts can take a long time to develop and get to a point where they'll significantly affect your vision, cataract surgery usually isn't necessary right away. Most cataract surgeons only recommend the procedure when cataracts start affecting your quality of life.
However, if you're starting to experience severe vision loss due to cataracts that make it challenging to complete daily tasks, it's time to consider cataract surgery. Are you no longer able to cook dinner?
Has it become too hard to do laundry because your vision won't let you? These are all signs to think about having cataract surgery.
How Cataract Surgery Works
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures you can undergo. It's low risk and easy to recover from, meaning you can get back to the things you love without your cataracts impeding your vision. Omni Eye Specialists perform both traditional and laser cataract surgery.
When you have cataract surgery, you'll first have your eye numbed with eye drops to ensure you won't feel any pain. Then your surgeon will create small incisions in your eye to access the lens capsule containing your natural lens.
Your natural lens is broken apart and removed, removing the cataract formed on it. Then an intraocular lens, or IOL, is folded up and inserted into the lens capsule, where it's unfurled and positioned.
The incisions created heal on their own, so there's no need for any stitches. You may experience some discomfort as your eyes heal, but having better vision's well worth it.
You'll be back to the things you love without having to think about glare or halos or other frustrating symptoms due to cataracts taking over. Many patients choose premium lenses to enjoy reduced dependence on visual aids after cataract surgery, including better vision than you had before cataracts!
Regain Your Vision and More!
Cataract surgery can clear the fog and allow you to finally see clearly again. But it can do more than that.
When you choose a premium IOL, you can reduce and even eliminate the need for reading glasses and regular visual aids. Standard IOLs are monofocal lenses that help you see either up close or far away.
You'll still need glasses to see at the opposite distance that wasn't corrected. With a premium IOL, you can look forward to better vision and a broader range of vision.
There is an out-of-pocket expense with these IOLs as insurance doesn't cover them. However, the extra cost is worth the added visual benefits for many patients!
Here are some of the premium IOLs we offer at Omni Eye Specialists:
PanOptix Trifocal IOL
The PanOptix trifocal IOL is a lens divided into three sections: one for seeing up close, one for seeing far away, and one for seeing at a middle distance. Each section allows you to seamlessly switch between the three lengths to see best, no matter what you're looking at.
The sections help you see especially clearly up close and at an intermediate distance, making them perfect for fine-focus tasks and viewing computer or phone screens at a healthy arm's length.
Vivity IOL
The Vivity lens is an extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOL with sections of the lens that switch between two focal points: one for far away and one for seeing up close. But the division between these sections is seamlessly blended, allowing for an extended depth of focus and a more comprehensive range of vision.
When you have the Vivity IOL, you can switch between seeing up close and far away and seeing well at all distances.
Toric IOL
Toric lenses are designed to correct astigmatism. Other premium lenses, like the PanOptix trifocal IOL and Vivity IOL, come in a toric variation to correct your astigmatism while providing better vision.
Toric IOLs are the only lenses specifically designed to correct astigmatism, making them an excellent choice for patients with this refractive error who want better vision.
Are you ready to finally clear the fog by saying goodbye to your cataracts? Request your appointment at Omni Eye Specialists in Baltimore, MD, to learn more!