Cataract Eye Surgery
Peoria and Bloomington, Illinois
Cataracts occur when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy. They obstruct vision. At first, they may begin small, then grow slowly until vision is impaired, eventually leading to legal blindness in some cases. Most cataracts are a natural product of aging, and the degree to which a person suffers from cataracts is related to genetics. In addition to age-related cataracts, there are several other types, including:
- Congenital cataracts that are present at birth
- Traumatic cataracts that are the result of injury to the eye
- Radiation cataracts as a result of radiation exposure
- Secondary cataracts that are complications of glaucoma, diabetes, or certain medications
Because cataracts start small and grow slowly, some people are not even aware that they are beginning to develop them. Some signs of cataracts include:
- Glare
- Poor night vision
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Faded colors
- Double vision with only one eye open
- A sudden frequent change in prescription for corrective lenses
Age-related cataracts generally begin to appear around age 55 or later. About half of Americans aged 65 to 74 have them, and around 70 percent of Americans aged 75 or older have them.
Once the lens becomes clouded, there is no way to uncloud it. The only treatment for cataracts is lens replacement surgery, which can be done with monofocal or multifocal Intraocular Lenses (IOLs).
If you are beginning to suffer from cataracts, don't let your vision desert you. Contact the Gailey Eye Clinic today for a consultation.