How Leaving Your Cataracts Untreated Can Affect Your Life
Here at Pinke Eye Center, we completely understand that the idea of getting cataract surgery is no one’s idea of fun. But unlike elective eye surgeries, cataract surgery is a true necessity if you want to maintain your independence and be able to see. So, of course, we recommend cataract surgery for those who have cataracts. Why live with poor vision or blindness if you don’t have to? For those that still need some convincing, here are some ways that leaving cataracts untreated can affect your life.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts occur when the natural lens inside of your eye becomes foggy. The natural lens, located behind the iris and pupil, is responsible for focusing light onto the retina and letting light into the eye. As you age, the proteins that make up part of the lens start to break down and clump together. This makes the lens cloudy, kind of like looking through a foggy window. Cataracts grow worse over time, and can eventually lead to blindness. The only way to treat cataracts is with surgery.
How Does Having Cataracts Affect Your Life?
Living with cataracts is not easy. During the early stages of their development, life may not be impacted at all. You may notice your vision is blurrier, and most of the time a new prescription can help with this at first. Eventually, however, glasses and contact lenses cannot help you see better. This is a sign that cataracts are growing more mature. Eventually, you will lose the ability to drive at night, colors will look less vivid, and you may not be able to recognize faces as well. Blindness can take years to occur, but untreated cataracts almost always lead to severe vision loss.
How Cataract Surgery Can Improve Your Life
There is evidence that getting cataract surgery can actually extend your life. This is because clear vision allows you to better care for your emotional and physical well-being. People without cataracts experience less injury and disease. Not to mention, you will feel a lot happier being able to see clearly. You don’t want to miss out on the things that make life enjoyable. Getting cataract surgery allows you to enjoy hobbies, social situations, and traveling once again. It can restore your sense of independence.
What Should You Expect During Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is much easier than you’re probably expecting. It is an eye surgery, but as far as eye surgeries go, it is painless and the recovery is quick. During the procedure, your eyes will be numbed and you will be given a mild oral sedative to help relax. Cataract surgery should not be a traumatic experience for you.
During cataract surgery, your surgeon will make incisions in the cornea to access and remove the cataract. Once the cataract has been removed, it will be replaced by an IOL (intraocular lens). An intraocular lens is designed to mimic the natural lens. Special lenses can even be used to correct common refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. This can further reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
Does cataract surgery sound all that bad? When you factor in the benefits, we don’t think so! Contact Pinke Eye Center to schedule your cataract consultation and ask as many questions as you need. Our dedicated staff and doctors are here to make sure you feel you are making the best choice for your vision. Contact our Shelton, CT location today!
