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Three Things Patients Should Know About Cataracts

On this Cataract Awareness Month, we share with you the facts about the condition and its treatment.

Approximately 25 million Americans have cataracts, which causes cloudy, blurry or dim vision and often develops with advancing age. This June, CODET Vision Institute joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in observing Cataract Awareness Month by sharing three things everyone should know about the condition and its treatment. 

As everyone grows older, the lenses of their eyes thicken and become cloudier. Eventually, they may find it more difficult to read street signs. Colors may seem dull. These symptoms may signal cataracts, which affect about 70 percent of people by age 75. Fortunately, cataracts can be corrected with surgery. Ophthalmologists, physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care, perform around three million cataract surgeries each year to restore vision to those patients. Get an idea of what someone with cataracts might experience with this cataract vision simulator. The following are facts people should know about the condition.

  • Age isn’t the only risk factor for cataracts. Though most everyone will develop cataracts with age, recent studies show that lifestyle and behavior can influence when and how severely you develop cataracts. Diabetes, extensive exposure to sunlight, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and certain ethnicities have all been linked to increased risk of cataracts. Eye injuries, prior eye surgery and long-term use of steroid medication can also result in cataracts. If you have any of these or other risk factors, talk to one of our ophthalmologist.
  • Cataracts cannot be prevented, but you can lower your risk. Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses and brimmed hats when outside can help. Several studies suggest that eating more vitamin C-rich foods may delay how fast cataracts form. Also, avoid smoking cigarettes, which have been shown to increase the risk of cataract development.
  • Surgery may help improve more than just your vision. During the procedure, the natural clouded lens is replaced with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens, which should improve your vision significantly. Patients have a variety of lenses to choose from, each with different benefits. Studies have shown that cataract surgery can improve quality of life and reduce the risk of falling. If cataracts are interfering with your ability to see well, consider asking your ophthalmologist about cataract surgery.

A life-changing surgery

Diana Reyes’s vision had deteriorated so much that she couldn’t lead a normal life. Her ophthalmologist, Dr. Arturo Chayet, recommended her the laser assisted cataract surgery with the Light Adjustable Lens.

“It was a miracle for me, I could see immediately” said Diana Reyes, Mexican pop singer. “I never imagined that I was going to be able to see the way I am seeing right now, I can see without the help or support of another person. For me it was very difficult to get on stage without the help of my manager, I couldn’t even manage to cross the street or do other basic stuff. Right now I feel very happy and grateful ”.

Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most commonly performed surgeries around the world. At CODET, our founder, Dr. Arturo Chayet, has performed more than 15,000 cataract surgeries over his 30+ years in the industry. He’s a pioneer in not only surgery but also clinical research.

Source:
American Academic of Ophthalmology