It used to be that people with cataracts usually waited until they were well into their senior years to have their cataracts removed. However, cataract surgery is being recommended more and more for younger patients. Namely, this is due to increased safety of the procedure, more successful outcomes, and better public awareness of the surgery. But here are additional benefits too.
Cataracts occur when the proteins in your eye’s lens change, clouding the lens and preventing light from passing through. Eventually, this leads to symptoms such as blurry vision, light sensitivity, glare, decreased night vision, and seeing halos around lights. Cataracts are diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam. To detect or rule out the presence of cataracts, we recommend scheduling regular eye exams in one of our eye care offices, located in Ft. Worth, Southlake, Downtown, and Westover Hills, Texas.
What is cataract surgery?
In brief, cataract surgery involves removing your clouded lens and replacing it with a prescription intraocular lens (IOL) to give you clear vision. Your eye surgeon will use a laser to make a small corneal incision and take out the problematic lens. Cataract surgery is quick – taking only about 15 minutes, start to finish. This is drastically different from the first cataract removals, which used to require a two or three-day stay in the hospital.
As one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the world, there is little reason to delay the removal of cataracts – and many benefits to having it done early.
Early Cataract Surgery Can Get Rid of Your Eyeglasses Sooner
Even if you’ve been nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism for years – cataract surgery can correct your problem with an intraocular lens that gives you clear vision. At our eye care practice, when many of our patients hear about this side benefit, it encourages them not to postpone their laser cataract surgery.
A Way to Help Treat Glaucoma
Glaucoma involves an unhealthy increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), which can damage your optic nerve and lead to vision loss. What you probably don’t know is that early cataract surgery can actually lower your intraocular pressure – improving the margin of safety for subsequent glaucoma surgery. Early cataract surgery will not only improve your eyesight, but can result in better IOP control and a decrease in your dependence on glaucoma medications.
Improve Your Quality of Life
Cataracts can get in the way of many daily tasks, including driving and reading. They can rob you of your independence and fun in life. Why live with a reduced quality of life until you’re older, when early cataract surgery can help you enjoy everything you want to do now?
Lengthen Your Life
A long-term study published in 2013 linked cataract surgery with a much better long-term survival rate. In fact, it showed a 40% decrease in mortality risk for patients who chose to have cataract surgery versus those who chose not to have it. Said simply, cataract surgery can improve your odds of a long life – so why delay it?
Regular Eye Exams Diagnose Cataracts Early
Regular comprehensive eye exams will detect the early signs of cataracts way before you notice the symptoms. An early diagnosis is the best way to benefit from early treatment! At our eye care centers in Ft. Worth, Southlake, Downtown, and Westover Hills, Texas, we use precise optometric technologies to diagnose cataracts and recommend the most suitable treatment.
At Eyeworks, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 817-346-7077 or book an appointment online to see one of our Ft. Worth eye doctors.
Want to Learn More? Read on!
FOLLOW US:
