No one likes to learn that they have cataracts. Being nervous is normal, but many people don’t even know where to start. We encourage you to take a minute to learn about cataracts. These facts will help you understand what to expect moving forward and, once informed, you will even look forward to getting them removed!
Cataracts Affect Your Eye’s Lens
First, it’s important to understand what a cataract is. A cataract occurs when the proteins that make up the lens of the eye begin to clump together. This causes the lens to become cloudy. Normally, light passes through your eye’s lens and makes its way to the retina. That light then turns into nerve signals that go straight to the brain. When you have a cataract, the light can’t pass through properly, resulting in blurry vision.
Surgery Is the Only Treatment
Many people think that they can use eye drops or get stronger glasses and that will fix their problem, but that isn’t true. Surgery is the only way to get rid of cataracts. Your Nashville, Tennessee eye surgeon will remove the affected lens and replace it with a clear, artificial one. This will allow the light to pass through properly so you can see again. This isn’t a temporary fix. It is an actual cure for cataracts.
Cataract Surgery Improves Vision
Many people have been living with cataracts for years without even knowing it. They are often amazed by how well they can see after the surgery. Around 90 percent of people report an improvement in their vision after surgery. Many of these people can toss away their glasses, while others just need reading glasses. Some people even achieve vision better than their pre-cataract sight with the help of premium IOLs!
It’s Easy to Recover from Cataract Surgery
When people are initially diagnosed with cataracts, they can’t help but think back to the old days when cataract surgery was relatively complicated. It has changed quite a bit over the years. You will also be able to drive and resume most of your normal activities a day after surgery. After a few weeks, you won’t have to worry about your eyes at all. It will be like you never had cataracts in the first place.
Certain Risk Factors May Cause Cataracts
If you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts, you might think, “why me?” While cataracts are exceedingly common, and we aren’t sure what exactly causes them, some believe certain risk factors lead to cataracts. Some people get them simply as a result of age, but you can also get them due to excessive UV exposure, smoking, and other health issues. For instance, people who have diabetes are at an increased risk of developing cataracts.
If you have cataracts, you don’t have anything to fear. Schedule your cataract surgery in Nashville so you can get your sight back. Surgery is quick and painless, and it takes less than an hour. After cataract surgery, you will see the world clearly again. Contact Loden Vision Centers in Nashville, TN for your cataract consultation today!
