Cataract Surgery

How To Know If You Have A Cataract In Your Eye

A cataract is a specific type of condition that plagues the eye in individuals. While it is most popular in humans, the condition can affect animals and pets as well, including dogs and cats. This condition usually takes on the appearance of a milky white colored covering over the eye. This is caused by a number of factors including age and prior damage to the area. Those who suffer from a cataract problem on their eye generally notice their problem when they begin having problems with their vision.

A cataract on the eye is typically diagnosed by an eye doctor such as an ophthalmologist. The doctor may notice the beginnings of a cataract forming on the eye, or notice it once it has fully developed. In the early stages they may agree to simply keep watch on the situation, and to make sure it doesn’t develop into a more serious problem. In the majority of cases though the doctor will recommend immediate surgery to fix the problem before it develops into something more.

The problem with cataracts on the eye is that they are often not noticed by the individual suffering from the problem. Until the condition persists, there may be no symptoms. Many people do not notice a problem until they begin having problems with their vision, and difficulty seeing. It is therefore important to have regular checkups, especially after the age of fifty. Those over the age of fifty are far more likely to have vision and eye problems such as cataracts. The problem is only seen in younger people in a small percentage or fraction of cases.

Those who suffer from a cataract problem on their eye have very little options in the way of treatments. The problem cannot be fixed by corrective lenses, or prescription glasses. In the early stages they may have problems seeing things up close, and suffer from near sighted vision. At this point their eye doctor may prescribe bifocal lenses, or different glasses, but this is only a temporary solution. The only real treatment for a cataract eye problem is surgery. This surgery replaces the defective, or damaged lens of the eye with a new, fake lens. The surgery takes less than an hour, and is done by a licensed eye surgeon. The old lens is actually cut out of the eye while the patient is under anesthesia, and the new lens put in its place.

Those with a cataract eye problem should attempt to have the surgery done as soon as possible. Those who wait on the surgery may cause more damage to their eye as the healthy eye attempts to compensate for the weaker eye. The cataract eye problem can easily turn into a more serious problem.