June is Cataract Awareness month. Are you aware that cataracts are the most common reason behind deteriorating vision among adults aged 55 and older? More so, more than half of all people 65 or older have at least some cataract development.
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye; one which obstructs or changes the path of light into the eye. For a lot of people, cataracts are a normal side effect of aging. Additional risks for developing a cataract include long-term exposure to the sun's UV rays, high blood pressure, family history, long-term steroid use, eye injuries and smoking.
Throughout the initial phases of cataract development, more efficient lights and glasses can be used to minimize the vision issues you might experience. At a certain point, though, a surgical procedure may be the solution to rectify your eyesight. More than 9 out of 10 patients who have cataract surgery recover great sight.
If you are in your sixties and having a hard time seeing in low light, it may be time to discuss cataracts with your eye doctor. The prognosis for cataracts is excellent, and we know you want to be able to see well throughout your later years.