Cataracts are a common eye condition. They develop slowly over time, making it harder to see. If you or a loved one have cataracts, be sure to see Dr. Randa Garrana at Advanced Lasik in one of our east or west coast locations. She’s one of the country’s top eye surgeons and is well-respected for her vision-correction skills.
If you think you’re experiencing a cataract in one or both eyes, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment. The key is an early diagnosis, so you can hopefully stop the cataract from impacting your vision.
A cataract occurs when proteins build up on the lens of your eye. The lens may get cloudy and block light and images from reaching the retina, which means the retina can’t pass these visual signals to the brain for processing. As a result, it's harder to see.
The most common symptom is blurriness, but that's not the only symptom you should look out for. Here are a few signs you may have cataracts:
Do you find yourself making excuses or rushing home before dark because it’s getting harder to see? If so, you’re certainly not alone. If you can’t read the street signs at night and the glare of headlights from oncoming cars throw you off, it’s probably a sign.
If everything used to look vibrant and colorful, but now looks dull and yellowish or brownish, you may have a cataract that’s disrupting your vision.
Does light bother you more than it used to? Are you seeing halos around lights? If so, you may be developing cataracts.
As a cataract grows, it blocks more of your vision. That’s why you may not even realize you have one at first. It can be very subtle and gradual. Some people describe the condition as looking out a dirty window.
It’s common to experience double vision in the eye that has a cataract.
Cataracts can’t be prevented, and they're very common as you age. They're also common if you have certain health conditions like diabetes, a history of exposure to radiation, ultraviolet light, or take certain medications.
Sometimes, minor vision problems can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Over time, however, a cataract will get worse if not treated. The best way to treat is with laser surgery. If you have cataracts and refractive errors like nearsightedness or astigmatism, Dr. Garrana can do an advanced surgery called refractive cataract surgery that fixes those issues simultaneously.
If you notice any sudden changes in your vision that are accompanied by vomiting or severe headache, seek emergency medical treatment right away. Otherwise, make an appointment with Dr. Garrana to determine if you have cataracts and find the best course of action to treat them.
