Do you wake up in the morning to find that you don’t see the day as well as you used to? Perhaps you go about your day looking at people’s hazy faces and wonder if it was always this way. Chances are, you could have cataracts clouding your eyes and vision. Cataracts are a common condition, especially in people over the age of 60. We can help diagnose cataracts to help you see more clearly. Keep reading to learn more about cataracts and what we can do to help you overcome them.
What gives people cataracts?
A cataract is when the lens of the eye, which sits behind the iris, becomes cloudy. You may notice when you look in a loved one’s face, that their eyes look a little more clouded or dull. A loved one might tell you that your eyes look cloudy, too.
The development of cataracts can be influenced by many different factors. Advancing age, eye trauma, radiation exposure, excessive sun exposure, disease in the eye, a family history of cataracts, smoking, diabetes, and poor nutrition can all influence cataracts.
No matter the underlying cause of your cataracts, it is important to have the clouded lenses removed and replaced so you can see better. Because cataracts can creep up slowly, you may have had them developing for years. Sometimes it takes a sudden jolt for people to realize their vision is diminished.
Diagnosing Cataracts
Several tests could be performed by your doctor to diagnose your cloudy vision as a cataract. These tests include:
- Retinal examination under pupil dilation
- Tonometry to test intraocular pressure (IOP)
- Visual acuity test
- Slit-lamp examination
These tests help your eye doctor determine whether you have cataracts or if the visual problems are really coming from somewhere else. They also help your doctor in evaluating the degree of visual impairment; this can help us determine whether surgery is a good choice.
Early cataracts can sometimes be treated with nonsurgical methods like, getting a new corrective lens prescription, anti-glare sunglasses, incorporating brighter lighting in your home, and even using magnifying glasses.
Is your vision starting to become cloudy? Call Dr. Groat to schedule a consultation today.
