The impotance of a cataract

Answer 1

Everyone eventually develops cataracts. Often, however, the growth of a cataract is so slow people do not realize their vision has deteriorated until something they need or like to do is limited. For some it is reading, others driving. It could even be something like Golf or completing crossword puzzles. Because the change in vision is so gradual, many people are convinced it is the world (not their vision) that has changed. I often hear such comments as "Those charts in the DMV are smaller than the last time I got my license," or "The newspapers must be trying to save money on ink, because it's not as dark as it used to be." When I hear these things, I pretty much know I'm about to diagnose a cataract before even examining the patient.

In medicine, we call things that people like or need to do, "activities of daily living." When these activities are limited by a cataract that cannot be corrected with spectacles or contact lenses, it is time to consider cataract surgery.

Typical symptoms of cataracts include: blurred vision, cloudy vision, glare or halos around lights at night, and the sense that colors are not as vibrant as they should be. As the cataract progresses, it filters out blue light. This results in a yellowing of the world around us. Some people have described their vision with cataracts as similar to "looking through a dirty windshield."

Fortunately, with modern cataract surgery techniques, we no longer have to wait until the cataract is "ripe." If you are having difficulty with your activities of daily living and your eye surgeon feels you have a significant cataract, then most insurances (including Medicare) will cover the procedure and the standard intraocular lens that is used to replace the cataract.

David Richardson, M.D.

Medical Director

San Gabriel Valley Eye Associates, Inc.

Website: http://www.sgveye.com/

Blog: http://www.about-eyes.com/

Cataract Audio CD: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/DavidDRichardsonMD

San Gabriel Office:

207 S. Santa Anita St., Suite P-25

San Gabriel, CA 91776

(626) 289-7856

Pasadena Office:

800 E. Colorado Blvd.

Suite 450

Pasadena, CA 91101

(626) 289-2223