Cataracts affect nearly 5.5 million people in the United States. A cataract occurs when the eye’s normally clear lens becomes clouded. Unlike what many people think, a cataract is not a film covering the outer part of the eye. This clouding is caused by a clumping of protein in the eye’s lens and can lead to the decrease and eventual loss of vision. It is common for cataracts to develop gradually over time and, if left untreated, cataracts can actually cause permanent blindness. In normal circumstances cataracts occur in one eye at a time, however, it is common for cataracts to affect both eyes over a lifetime. It is crucial to contact your doctor if you are experiencing any vision cloudiness before any permanent damage or additional health complications can occur.
Types of Cataracts
There are a number of different categories of cataracts that depend on age, as well as other factors. Some of the types of cataracts include:
- Congenital – In some instances, infants are born with cataracts. This can be due to particular injuries or developmental issues in utero. It is also possible to develop cataracts during childhood.
- Age-related – Cataracts can develop over time due to aging.
- Secondary- In certain cases, cataracts can develop due to other health issues such as diabetes, radiation and sunlight.
- Traumatic – Cataracts can develop after damage is done to the eye.
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations, and today you have more options than ever before in choosing which lens implant is right for you.
If you notice that you have blurred vision and have trouble reading, driving at night or doing everyday tasks as simple as watching television, you should schedule an appointment with an eye doctor who can perform an examination.
- What are the specific details of cataract surgery?
- How invasive is cataract surgery?
- Which implant will give me the best results?
- What is the general health of my eyes?
- Will I be dependent on eyeglasses after my surgery?
- When is the best time to get the surgery done?
- What are my risks and benefits to getting cataract surgery?
- Will insurance cover cataract surgery?
- What is the cost for cataract surgery?
- What results does the ophthalmologist expect you to have?
- How long is the recovery from cataract surgery?
Additionally, it is critical to be knowledgeable about the qualification of your ophthalmologist, how many cataract surgeries they have done and what other surgeries they specialize in. Our surgeons at CaliCataract are recognized for the excellent quality of their cataract surgeries, as well as their strong commitment to providing their patients the best possible results before, during and after surgery. If you choose the wrong surgeon, you could be making a terrible mistake. You can rest assured that all of the ophthalmologists at CaliCataract are experienced, certified, up-to-date on the modern eye technologies, and well-equipped to handle the needs of every individual patient.
To learn more about cataracts and treatment options available in Southern California, please call our offices 310-909-8880.