To your Health ! - Cataracts -
PHONE : 570-769-2877
Healthy
Living -- pages 18 - 22
To your Health ! - Cataracts -
It ' s a plague with no end - the deterioration of your eyes starts at age 40 , then continues through middle age , forming clumps that can compromise your sight . Those clumps are known as cataracts , and gone untreated , can cause blindness But medical science has made amazing strides in the last fifty years , so that cataract surgery is now one of the safest procedures available .
It is easy to identify when those clumps start to affect your sight , although many of us just ignore the clouded , blurred , or dimmed vision , the difficulty seeing at night , and sensitivity to glare .
There are four stages of cataracts , each progressively more serious - Stage 1 means you are having trouble focusing between near and far vision , blurring and cloudiness become a daily event , and you may feel increased eye strain . Stage 2 brings the clouding of your lens , making it slightly opaque - most opthalmologists will recommend anti-glare lenses for your glasses . Stage 3 means that milky or yellow film is now covering your eye - this is the point where you have to decide whether it ' s time for surgery , because Stage 4 will show the cataract as almost too difficult to remove , and it could potentially permanently damage your eye .
Cataracts never go away on their own , they just continue to accumulate . Most of us live with them until around age 65 , although many have taken the surgery plunge after 55 over the last few years .
An eye examination with an experienced ophthalmologist will put you in line for same day surgery , one eye at a time , usually a week apart . For many , this is a one day vacation - some patients offer stories of having surgery at noon and enjoying dinner at a restaurant that evening . But beware - for some , proteins can build up after this procedure - it ' s critical that you follow orders and use eye drops at the proper time , several times a day for a minimum of a month , after surgery on each eye to make sure healing is complete .
People who have had cataract surgery may experience blurred vision or eye sensitivity as they recover . A person ’ s eyes should feel better within a day or two . However , it may take up to 8 weeks to completely heal . Be patient - with proper care , you will soon be seeing like a 30 year old again !
Please patronize this fine sponsor of " To Your Health :"
William R . Forse , Optometrist - family eye care
Complete & Comprehensive Eye Exams • Pediatric Vision Analysis Glaucoma , Cataract , and Retinal Screening • Contact Lenses Wide Selection of Fashion Eyewear • Consultant for Lasik Surgery
PHONE : 570-769-2877
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