If you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts, you may be wondering when it’s time to consider surgery. Cataracts are a common eye condition that can affect your vision as you age. While surgery is the only way to remove a cataract, it’s not always necessary right away. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what cataracts are, how they develop, and the signs that indicate it’s time to consider surgery.
What are cataracts?
Cataracts are a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. The lens is normally clear and helps focus light onto the retina at the back of the eye. But as we age, proteins in the lens can clump together and cloud a small area of the lens, forming a cataract. At first, you may have no symptoms with cataracts. As the cataract grows larger, you may start to notice blurry, hazy, or less colorful vision, have trouble seeing at night, become sensitive to light, or see halos around lights.
When is cataract surgery necessary?
As cataracts progress, they can cause sensitivity to light and glare. If bright lights bother your eyes more than usual or if you see halos around lights at night, these could be signs that it’s time for surgery. Additionally, if you find yourself struggling with everyday tasks like reading or driving due to poor vision caused by cataracts, cataract surgery may be necessary. In some cases, wearing sunglasses or updating your prescription may help relieve these symptoms temporarily. It’s important to consult with our eye doctors at Hanna Eye Care to determine the best course of action.
The procedure
If our eye doctor decides that cataract surgery is the best option for you, we will refer you to a trusted surgeon in the area. Cataract surgery is a safe and effective procedure that can greatly improve your quality of life by restoring clear vision. During cataract surgery, your surgeon will remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).
The procedure is typically done on an outpatient basis and most patients experience improved vision shortly after surgery. Recovery time is minimal, and complications are rare. Following the surgery, our team at Hanna Eye Care will set up follow-up appointments to monitor your recovery and address any concerns that may occur.
If cataracts aren’t significantly impacting your vision, you may not need cataract surgery for years, if you ever do. Regular eye exams allow your eye doctor to monitor the progression of cataracts and determine when you need surgery. At Hanna Eye Care, we specialize in diagnosing cataracts and co-managing cataract surgery in Jacksonville, ensuring you regain clear vision. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our office if you have any concerns about your vision—we’re here to help!
