By the age of 80, almost everyone either has cataracts or has had cataract surgery, so it’s important to realize that you can’t eliminate the risk of cataracts. But, even though cataracts form as a result of normal aging, some things can make it more likely to develop them earlier than expected.
As our name indicates, the expert providers at Cataract & Vision Center of Hawaii specialize in effectively treating cataracts. Cataract surgery is performed on site and we make sure you’re comfortable. You go home the same day, and you will probably be surprised by how much better life is after your cataracts are corrected.
Before we talk about what makes it more or less likely you’ll develop cataracts, we want to share a few things you may not know about them. For example, you can get cataracts in one eye or both eyes, but they don’t necessarily develop at the same rate.
Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States, and overall, people are very satisfied with the results. The idea of having surgery on your eyes can be scary, but it helps to know that most people have a good experience and are happy with the end result.
Behind the colored part of your eye, there is a clear lens that helps to focus the light. As you age, the lens becomes cloudy and the light isn’t properly focused, distorting your vision.
Cataracts are made up of proteins and water, and may be located in the center of the lens (a nuclear cataract), on the edge (a cortical cataract), or toward the back of the lens (a posterior capsular cataract).
You’re more likely to develop cataracts earlier if you have one or more of the following:
As you can see, some of these factors can be modified and some can't. You can’t help it if you have an eye disease, but you can certainly limit the amount of alcohol you drink. We suggest doing what you can to limit your risk.
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes, limit alcohol, reach and maintain a healthy weight, and don’t smoke. In fact, most of the ways you limit your risk of cataracts are good ways to maintain your overall health.
If you have diabetes, managing the condition by taking medication as directed and working with your healthcare team is the best way to mitigate the risk of cataracts that diabetes causes.
One final step you can take to protect your vision is to have regular eye exams. Cataracts can develop very slowly. For some people, the process is so slow they don’t realize it’s happening.
Coming into the Cataract & Vision Center of Hawaii regularly means that our team will be able to spot any signs of cataracts early and monitor the progression. You can have surgery before your vision is significantly affected by cataracts.
If you have questions about your personal risk for cataracts, or you’d like to assess your vision, schedule an appointment with us today.
