Cataract Treatment By Our Copperas Cove Eye Doctor
The statistics are clear and point to the fact that cataracts develop as a normal part of aging. According to estimates, over half the population over age 80 in the United States has experienced cataracts. To learn more about this eye disease and the types of cataract treatment we offer in Copperas Cove, read on.
Basic Definition Of Cataracts
As you get older, so does the lens structure in your eyes. The lens is composed primarily of protein and water, arranged precisely so that the lens is clear. Sometimes, the protein clumps together and crystalline fibers of your eye’s lens change.
This leads to the formation of a cataract, best described as a clouding of the lens. Over time, the cloudy area grows. Because the cataract is opaque, it prevents light from entering your eye properly. In turn, clear images cannot appear on your retina, resulting in blurred vision.
Progression Of Cataracts
Cataracts develop and progress slowly, and it is typical for people to miss the early signs of this eye disease. However, as they grow, they begin to affect vision. The early symptoms are usually mild, and people manage to cope and live normally.
Yet, once they interfere significantly with your ability to see, it is time to schedule an eye exam and consultation with your eye doctor to discuss the best cataract treatment for your condition. Dr. Micheline Young, your experienced eye doctor in Copperas Cove, offers complete co-management for cataracts.
Cataract Symptoms
At the beginning stages of cataracts, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Colors appear less bright and dimmer
- Cloudy or blurred vision
- Poor vision at night
- Glare from lights, halos around oncoming traffic at night, sunlight, or outdoor lighting
- Sudden improvement in near vision
- Double vision
Early Cataract Treatment
At first, vision with cataracts may be improved with new eyewear, anti-glare sunglasses, brighter lighting conditions, or magnifying glasses. Once these aids cease to help, surgery is the only effective cataract treatment.
Cataract surgery is generally recommended when vision loss gets in the way of doing daily tasks, such as reading, watching TV, or driving. Delaying the surgery will not cause any long-term damage to your eye, so there is no need to rush into emergency surgery.
However, if you have another eye disease, such as diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration, you may need cataract surgery sooner because it can prevent a detailed inspection of your eye. The decision to undergo cataract surgery will be made together by you and your eye doctor.
Cataract Surgery
Cataract removal is one of the most widely performed procedures done in the United States. Safe and effective, approximately 90% of all people who have cataract surgery enjoy improved vision afterward – between 20/20 to 20/40. If cataract surgery is for you, Dr. Young will co-manage your condition and provide full preoperative and postoperative care in the comfort of our Copperas Cove eye care clinic.
During the procedure, your eye surgeon will remove the clouded lens and replace it with a transparent, plastic intraocular lens (IOL). Many types of IOLs are available, and your eye doctor will advise you on the most suitable lenses for your vision condition.
Eye Exams Detect Cataracts
At Cove Eyecare, we will evaluate the health of your eyes to inspect for any signs of cataract formation. If we diagnose a cataract, our eye doctor will provide full co-management for cataract treatment. Presently, surgery is the only foolproof cure to treat cataracts, and Dr. Young is experienced and qualified to handle all of your pre-op and post-op eye care.
