If you are approaching your 65th birthday and don’t know much about cataracts, it’s about time to learn. By age 65, 50% of people develop cataracts. In fact, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. So chances are fairly strong that you may get a cataract and possibly require surgery to have the cataracts removed.

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a gradual clouding of the lens of your eye that is normally clear. As you age, proteins in your lens begin to break down, and the lens becomes cloudy.

Cataracts are not contagious and are not painful. Many people live for years with cataracts until they become very cloudy and can lead to blindness if left untreated. There also aren’t clear ways to prevent cataracts as it appears to be genetic more than anything.

What To Look Out For

Cataracts develop slowly over time, so you won’t notice any immediate changes. The best way to stay on top of cataracts is by going to the eye doctor routinely. By age 65, you should go to the ophthalmologist every one to two years, depending on your eye health and any risk factors.

Some common symptoms are:

  • Clouded, blurred, or dim vision
  • Worsening night vision
  • Sensitivity to light and glare
  • Need for brighter light for reading and other activities
  • Seeing “halos” around lights
  • Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription
  • Fading or yellowing of colors
  • Double vision in a single eye

Navigating Cataract Treatment

So your eye doctor says you have a cataract. What now?

Depending on the severity of the cataract, the cataract specialists at Vistar Eye Center may recommend holding off on surgery. Sometimes cataracts don’t worsen enough to justify surgery, so it’s typically best to wait until the cataract begins to impact your lifestyle, such as reading or driving at night.

If you decide with your doctor that it’s time for surgery, the team at Vistar Eye Center is here to help. A week before your scheduled surgery, we will send a package of information to your house for you to review. It includes helpful information about the surgery, how to prepare, and what to expect.

The day of the surgery may be nerve-wracking, but it’s nothing to worry about. We’ll ask you to arrive at the surgery center in time for numbing eye drops to take effect. The patient typically stays awake during the surgery with a mild sedative. The surgery itself takes no more than 10 minutes. If you have cataracts in both eyes, they will be removed on separate days.

It can be exhilarating because once the cataract is removed, you should be able to see clearly right after surgery. You’ll be taken to a waiting area to “wake up” and make sure everything is normal. Then you’ll be released to post-op where the cataract specialists will explain how to take care of your eye, what to do and not do, and give you a phone number to call with any questions.

Then a friend or family member will drive you home where you can relax for the rest of the day. You’ll typically be asked to return for a checkup appointment at specific increments after the surgery to connect with your surgeon and ask any questions.

We’re Here to Help

No matter what stage you find yourself in your eye care journey, we’re happy to help you find the right solution. If you have a cataract or are concerned that you might, call Vistar Eye Center to schedule an appointment. Our award-winning cataract surgeons can help diagnose the issue and remove them so you can get back to living your life with clarity.