Is Surgery My Only Option for Cataracts?

The lens tissue in your eyes is normally crystal clear, helping to focus light on the retina so you can see clearly. As you get older, the proteins within the lens start to break down, and the clear tissue begins to yellow and cloud over. 

This exceptionally common condition, which is typically related to aging or eye injury, is called a cataract. Cataract surgery, a procedure to replace the cloudy lens with a clear prosthetic lens, is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the United States — millions of Americans undergo cataract surgery each year.

At Advanced Lasik in the Midtown East section of New York City and Long Beach, California, seasoned ophthalmologist Randa Garrana, MD, specializes in cataract care, including refractive cataract procedures and laser cataract surgery. Here’s what you need to know. 

Understanding how cataracts develop

In general, cataracts are a part of aging, though not everyone is affected in the same way or at the same age. Eye injuries or eye surgeries can speed the rate at which cataracts develop, and some people have genetic factors at work. 

Diabetics with poor blood sugar control have a greater risk of developing cataracts earlier in life, and long-term use of steroid medications can also raise your chances. 

Other risk factors include exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, radiation for cancer treatment, taking diuretic or tranquilizer medications, smoking, and having low levels of antioxidants in your diet. 

Is surgery my only option for cataracts? 

When your vision deteriorates from cataracts to the point that it interferes with your ability to live your life, then cataract surgery is the only way to restore clear vision. The clouding within the natural lens of your eye isn’t reversible; the lens itself must be replaced. 

How can I postpone cataract surgery? 

For the majority of people with cataracts, it’s not an urgent condition that comes on suddenly. The need for cataract surgery won’t catch you by surprise. 

While your vision will slowly decline, cataracts don’t compromise any other eye structures, and there are ways to compensate for some of their effects. 

While there’s nothing you can do about aging, previous eye injuries, or genetics, you can protect yourself from cataract-accelerating UV light by wearing sunglasses when you’re outdoors. Quitting smoking removes another cataract risk factor. 

Adding antioxidants to your diet, including foods like berries, citrus, tomatoes, leafy greens, nuts, and whole grains, can help support better eye health and potentially slow or delay cataract development. 

You can also compensate for cataract-related vision reductions by using brighter lights, magnifying glasses, or accessibility settings on electronic devices. You may also want to reduce the amount of time you spend driving at night if emerging cataracts make the task harder. 

Learn more about cataract surgery

You have some flexibility to delay surgery until the effects of cataracts become more than a nuisance — but still aren’t too disabling. The bottom line? Cataract surgery is a highly effective, low-risk procedure with tremendous benefits. 

To learn more, call or click online to schedule a visit with Dr. Garrana at your nearest Advanced Lasik office in Midtown East, New York City, or Long Beach, California, today.