Are you around the age of 60 or older? Have you noticed changes in your vision quality? With aging comes changes to parts of your body, including your eyes. This could be due to a cataract inside your eye, which can cause the natural lens in your eye to become cloudy. If the quality of your vision is beginning to affect your daily life, then it’s time to consider your cataract treatment options. There are non-surgical options and surgical options that can help you achieve a higher-quality vision. Learn more about cataracts and how you can get started with cataract treatment.
Symptoms & Causes of Cataracts
Several reasons may cause your cataracts, but aging is the most common. Throughout your life, your eye goes through changes. One of these changes occurs when your eye’s proteins gradually fall apart, causing cloudy vision. However, younger people with cataracts and those with diabetes may experience vision problems sooner.
Non-Age-Related Causes
Outside of aging, people with a family history of cataracts or those with related health issues like diabetes can develop cataracts. Similarly, if you’ve had an eye injury or regularly expose your eyes to sunlight without eye protection like sunglasses, your chances of developing cataracts are higher.
Common Cataract Symptoms Include:
- Double vision
- Cloudy, foggy, or filmy vision
- Trouble with nighttime driving
- Light sensitivity
What Does Cataract Treatment Entail?
Before contemplating surgery, you should examine all non-surgical treatment options that can help correct your vision. New eyeglass prescriptions, anti-glare sunglasses, and magnifying lenses are all used as early treatments for cataract symptoms. However, these treatments aren’t always effective. That’s when you should consult with your eye doctor about cataract surgery.
When even the simplest activities such as driving or watching TV become nearly impossible for you, cataract surgery may be your best option. Known to have a success rate of 98%, cataract surgery has improved the vision of millions of people. So, what can you expect during your cataract surgery? The surgeon will remove your cloudy lens and put an artificial lens in its place. The artificial lens for cataract surgery, referred to as IOLs, serves as the new clear lens for your eye.
Common Lens Options (IOLs) for Cataract Treatment
Each of the cataract lens options below has helped people improve their vision. You can even receive a cataract lens that can correct other vision issues you may suffer from, such as astigmatism. Before your cataract surgery, consult with your doctor to find the right option for your eyes.
AcrySof IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL
You can expect a significant reduction in your dependence on glasses to view your computer, phone, or small objects like a golfball from the AcrySof IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL. Known for being the first and only FDA-approved trifocal implant, this cataract treatment offers a wide range of vision corrections and can help treat your astigmatism.
AcrySof IQ ReSTOR IOL
Whether you have trouble seeing things nearby, far away, or right in front of you, the AcrySof IQ ReSTOR IOL can improve your vision quality. After this lens is implanted, you’ll notice that you aren’t relying on glasses to read and other activities.
Crystalens
What makes Crystalens such an effective cataract treatment is that it moves with your eye muscles, resulting in high-quality vision. Crystalens have “hinges” that allow them to move, which helps you focus on objects at varying distances the same way your natural lens did when you were younger.
Toric Astigmatism Correcting IOL
If you suffer from cataracts and astigmatism, the Toric Astigmatism Correcting IOL may be your best option. The Toric Astigmatism Correcting IOL can correct both conditions and help increase your independence on glasses. Don’t let astigmatism or cataracts interfere with your vision or life. Schedule a visit to see what option is right for you.
Are Cataract IOLs Right for Me?
Although cataract IOLs have helped so many people improve their vision, not everyone is a candidate. Advanced diabetes and some eye diseases or conditions can exclude you from cataract surgery. The best way to determine if you are a candidate is to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Not sure if you even have cataracts? Take our cataract self-test. Get started on your path to better vision. Contact us today about cataract treatment.
