Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye. For people who have cataracts, seeing through cloudy lenses is a bit like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window.
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Cataract Causes and Symptoms <p><a href="https://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/practitioner-type/ophthalmologist"> Ophthalmologist,</a> discusses the causes and symptoms of cataracts.</p>Ophthalmologist, discusses the causes and symptoms of cataracts.
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Diagnosing and Treating Cataracts <p><a href="https://diabeticretinopathynow.com/local/local-ophthalmologists"> Ophthalmologist</a>, discusses how cataracts are diagnosed and treated.</p>Ophthalmologist, discusses how cataracts are diagnosed and treated.
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Testing Eye Health <p>David Mitchell, OD,<a href="https://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/practitioner-type/optometrist"> Optometrist</a> discusses the slit lamp and how it is used to test your eye health.</p>David Mitchell, OD, Optometrist discusses the slit lamp and how it is used to test your eye health.
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Cataract Surgery <p><a href="https://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/practitioner-type/ophthalmologist">Ophthalmologist,</a> discusses cataract surgery.</p>Ophthalmologist, discusses cataract surgery.
Cataract Causes and Symptoms
A cataract is an opacification of the lens that occurs over time as people age and just like a camera has a lens in it, the eye requires a lens in it to focus images on the back of the eye. As we are young we have a nice clear lens in the eye, and then as we age it tends to get a little bit green or brown over time, and we call that development of a cataract.
Now most of the time this is a slow process, but occasionally it can happen more rapidly, and that can be if somebody’s had trauma in the eye, if they’ve inflammation inside of the eye, if they’ve had surgery in the eye, or sometimes if they have certain medical conditions they are required to take medication for a certain amount of time. Although those scenarios are less common the vast majority of time as cataracts come on very gradually over months or even years. And patients might not perceive anything for a long time.
Usually they complain of decreased vision gradually. Sometimes they notice difficulty in different lighting situations particularly when it’s dark. They might have problems with glare or issues with driving, and those things will prompt them to see an eye care professional or their GP and get them sent in to see an ophthalmologist who can take a look at them. Local Ophthalmologist
When an eye care professional knows that you have cataracts or suspects you do or perhaps your GP suspect you do, they send you to an ophthalmologist. And there you have a full eye examination including dilation of the eyes where the doctor can ensure that the amount of cataract you have corresponds with your complaints, with the decreased level of vision that you have.
And then they might order some tests in the office to make sure you don’t have any other eye diseases present, and if that’s the case, they’ll go ahead and organize cataract surgery for you, which is how we treat this particular problem. Local Ophthalmologist Often seeing a local Ophthalmologists or Optometrist in conjunction with your family physician or a registered dietician is a great option to dealing with eye conditions and symptoms. Smart Food Now and exercise is also important for overall health.
If you have been having decreased vision, or you’ve noticed some changes in your vision, and you suspect you might have cataracts, or were told that you had early cataracts developing, it’s reasonable to go see your GP or optometrist and get a referral to an ophthalmologist for a full eye assessment.
Presenter: Dr. Steven Schendel, Ophthalmologist, Vancouver, BC
Local Practitioners: Ophthalmologist
Diagnosing and Treating Cataracts
Our eye works a lot like a camera. In order for us to see clearly, the light has to be focused by a lens. We are all born with a lens inside our eye that does this job for us and in early life it is crystal clear. As we age, this lens can become cloudy and begin to block light or create blur. We call this change in the lens a “cataract”.
If we live long enough, we will all develop a cataract and surgery will eventually be required. The idea of having eye surgery is usually confronting. But cataract surgery has now become one of the most commonly performed procedures worldwide with a very high degree of safety. The procedure is typically a fast, day surgery. Through a micro incision, the cataract is broken down and removed from the eye. In its place a new intraocular lens or “IOL” is inserted to do the job of focusing
light. There are many types of lens designs available and not all types are suitable for all patients. Some may correct astigmatism if you have this, some may offer focus over multiple distances to reduce the need for reading glasses. The choice of the right IOL for each patient is a usually a discussion between patient and doctor.
Typically your vision will be somewhat blurry the day of the procedure, with return of clear vision over days or weeks. Complications of cataract surgery are fortunately very rare. Serious complications like infection or retinal detachment will occur in less than 1% of patients. Both are treatable if caught early and this is why keeping post operative appointments is important. Less serious complications such as
swelling, a need to go back to surgery for minor adjustment or replacement of a lens, bothersome light or shadow effects can occur, but are manageable problems with existing solutions. Satisfaction rates after cataract surgery are high. It is usually a procedure that makes a positive change to your vision and your life.
If you would like more information about cataracts, please don’t hesitate to reach out to
your local optician or ophthalmologist. Often seeing a local Ophthalmologists or Optometrist in conjunction with your family physician or a registered dietician is a great option to dealing with eye conditions and symptoms. Smart Food Now and exercise is also important for overall health. Presenter: Dr. Greg Moloney, MBBS, BSC MED, MMED, FRCSC, Ophthalmologist, explains the LASIK procedure for vision correction.
Now Health Network Local Practitioners: Ophthalmologist