- posted: Jun. 03, 2014
Join Your Wyomissing Eye Doctor in Raising Cataract Awareness
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than 22 million Americans aged 40 and older have cataracts, and by age 80, more than half of all Americans will have cataracts. Today, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide, as stated by the World Health Organization.
Despite the high number of people affected by cataracts in their lifetime, many Americans are still unaware of this serious eye disease. That’s why Prevent Blindness America has declared June as Cataract Awareness Month in an effort to educate the public about cataracts.
To support these efforts and inform our own patients about cataracts, we’ve listed some information about this common eye disease, including symptoms and treatments.
Understanding Cataracts
Imagine that the lens in your eye is a clean window. When the window gets dirty or foggy, it is difficult to see out of. The same can be said about your eye’s lens when it becomes cloudy. That gradual clouding of the lens is known as a cataract.
It is unknown what the exact causes of a cataract are. For most people, cataracts are simply a part of the aging process, thus the risk for developing a cataract increases with age. Without steps to slow the growth of the cataract, the cataract will continue to cloud your vision, and your ability to participate in normal routine activities, such as driving or reading will also decline.
Cataract symptoms
Although different types of cataracts exist, they share many related symptoms. Because cataracts are painless, changes in vision are often the best indicators of a problem. When a person first develops a cataract, there may not be any noticeable changes in vision. As the lens becomes cloudier over time, however, normal tasks may become more challenging and symptoms will be evident. These symptoms include:
- Blurry or foggy vision
- Double vision
- Night blindness
- Seeing halos or glares around lights
- Colors appearing duller or dimmer than normal
- Frequent changes to eyeglasses prescriptions
If you notice any of the above symptoms, always contact Linsey EyeCare for a proper evaluation.
Diagnosing Cataracts
The best way to determine if you have a cataract is by visiting Linsey EyeCare for a thorough eye exam in Wyomissing. Cataracts progress slowly, making early detection key to delaying further clouding of the lens. Your optometrist in Wyomissing can easily detect signs of a cataract and make recommendations for intervention and treatment.
Treatment of Cataracts
In its early stages, you can take steps to help delay the growth of a cataract. These include not smoking, eating a balanced diet, managing diabetes, wearing sunglasses outside, and avoiding tanning beds.
Currently, cataract surgery is the only effective treatment for advanced cataracts. With a 95 percent success rate, cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the U.S. with most people experiencing clearer vision immediately following the procedure.
What are you waiting for? Stop in for a quick Wyomissing eye exam! It’s the best way to identify vision problems and the presence of diseases while promoting ultimate eye health. At Linsey EyeCare, we recommend scheduling an eye exam every year, especially if you might be at risk for a cataract. Contact us or request an appointment online today.
OFFICE HOURS
Monday
9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday
Closed
Testimonial
I have been coming to Linsey Eyecare for years and have always had the best experience, specifically with eyecare and contact lenses.
The selection was everything I heard it was. Thanks for a great experience.
Bought 2 pairs of glasses. The office was clean and the staff was extremely helpful. I would recommend this to anyone.
CONTACT US
--mi
Linsey EyeCare
Address
1901 Ridgewood Ave
Wyomissing, PA 19610
Contact Information
(610) 373-2300
