Do You Need Cataract Surgery?

One thing that most people take for granted is great vision--until you suddenly get something in your eye, or worse, develop a condition that causes blurry vision or blindness. One such condition is called cataracts, which basically is the opacification (cloudiness) of your eyes' lens and can make it hard to look at light due to the increased glare. For individuals over the age of 65, it is the leading cause of poor vision and blindness. However, having cataracts is not as dire as it once was and the condition is very treatable.

Common Symptoms

Although not typically painful or associated with any type of redness, the symptoms usually manifest from a few of the following conditions:

- Blurry or "foggy" vision
- Blinding sensation due to lights (i.e., car headlights, sun, etc.)
- Sporadic double vision in either eye (generally not both)
- Nearsightedness or increased nearsightedness over time
- Lackluster colors (very dull)

If you have two or more of the previously mentioned conditions, then it is recommended that you go to an eye specialist to determine if you indeed have cataracts, to determine if it's treatable, or if they are signs of a different visual ailment. Most individuals under the age of 40 will not be able to notice any clouded vision, so if you are under 40, it could very well be a different circumstance.

When to Choose Eye Surgery

Obviously choosing cataract surgery is a decision that the patient will have to make, but it is important to receive the advice and recommendation of the eye specialist as well, as they can use their instruments to see how advanced your condition is and point out any problematic factors.

Understand that the surgery procedure has a very high success rate, but as with any type of operation, there is always a small risk of complications. Such complications can include infections, swelling or inflammation, or even retinal detachment. Again, the chances for these setbacks are very small, but it is helpful to be informed of what could potentially occur.

However, the reward for a successful procedure far outweighs any possible difficulties. The process is relatively quick (generally 20 minutes) and can make a stark, swift improvement in your vision for many years to come.

For those interested in ways to prevent or lessen the probability of needing cataract surgery, wearing sunglasses that have ultraviolet light protection is a great way to reduce the development.