June is Cataract Awareness Month, and we are happy to report that Cataract surgery has entered a new generation with so many incredible developments in not just the surgery process, but in the lenses available. Most importantly, it has left patients with some of the best vision they have ever experienced. We hear it every day from our cataract patients have their surgeries – “the green of the leaves is so bright!” Things they thought were gray for years, actually had color.
That gradual degradation of their vision had become unremarkable, until that surgery date changes their life. And all of a sudden, there is VIVID color!
In honor of cataract awareness month, we just wanted to share a few, key facts.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye (which is usually clear).
Although most cataracts develop relatively slowly over the course of several years, sometimes, babies are born with cataracts, and they can actually happen at any age so they are NOT just something that happens when you get “old”. We have had plenty patients who have had cataract surgery before 60 and even 50!
Do YOU have a cataract?
The main symptom most patients complain about when they have a cataract is blurry vision. If you have a cataract, it feels as if you are looking through a foggy window.
Do Many People Choose to Have Cataract Surgery?
YES. Cataract Surgery is the most commonly performed surgery in the U.S. every year!
Since Cataracts are so common and can be easily treated at a really high success rate, cataract surgery has become extremely common!
Can You Avoid Cataracts?
The short answer to this question is not really. But you can absolutely slow down the progression throughout your life if you start early. Some Key Factors that can increase your chance of developing a cataract are listed below:
• Excessive sun exposure
• Family history of cataracts
• Smoking
• High Blood Pressure
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• All of the above can play a role
How do you fix a cataract?
When a cataract gets to the point that it interferes with your usual activities, that cloudy lens can be replaced with a clear, artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). This procedure to replace the lens is generally a safe, outpatient procedure called Cataract Surgery! This procedure has recently been enhanced with the use of a femtosecond laser that assists in many of the steps that were part of the usual cataract procedure which has been around for decades. When you hear about “Laser Cataract Surgery” that’s what it means!
How do I know if I have a cataract that needs surgery?
Call us. Dr. Loh can help evaluate your vision to determine whether you have a cataract and whether or not it is ready for surgery! She can also determine which lens would be best for your activities, lifestyle, and most of all, your vision goals. For example, do you like to read at night? Do you play golf? Do you sew? This all matters when picking a lens and you should also make note that these things matter when choosing your surgeon.
Your vision is extremely valuable, it’s what you see your family, friends and your life with.
Do not trust your eyesight to just anyone, trust an expert.
Trust your vision to a surgeon with experience with femtosecond laser cataract surgery and access to all of the most recent IOL’s available!
If you would like to have Dr. Loh evaluate your vision, our office can be reached at 786-558-8542 or email us at Laura@JenniferLohMD.Com for more info!