Cataract At A Glance: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment.

WHAT ARE CATARACTS?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens and is most common in elderly people. When you suspect that you might have cataracts, you can ask yourself a couple of questions which will assist you to identify cataract symptoms:

• Are my eyes looking a bit yellowish or brownish?
• Are my eyes sensitive to light (lamp, car headlights, sunlight, etc)?
• Am I troubled by glare during the day?
• Is my vision becoming cloudy or filmy even though my glasses are still new?
• Is my vision worse at night? Am I trying to avoid driving at night?
• Do I feel like I need stronger/weaker glasses?
• Do I have double vision?
• Do I see colours not as vibrant as they used to be?

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the above, you should inform your optometrist during your next eye test or organise to have an eye test soon.

Persons around the ages of 50 and 60 may have been told that there's a little bit of aging’ in their eyes. Many of them do not require immediate cataract surgery and their optometrist may offer bit of suggestions to slow down the progression, for example:

• Dietary intakes of vitamin E (sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach), lutein and zeaxanthin (spinach, kale, green and leafy veggies)

• Antioxidant vitamins e.g. vitamin C

• Omega-3 fatty acids (fish and fish oil)

WHAT ARE CATARACTS?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens and is most common in elderly people. When you suspect that you might have cataracts, you can ask yourself a couple of questions which will assist you to identify cataract symptoms:

• Are my eyes looking a bit yellowish or brownish?
• Are my eyes sensitive to light (lamp, car headlights, sunlight, etc)?
• Am I troubled by glare during the day?
• Is my vision becoming cloudy or filmy even though my glasses are still new?
• Is my vision worse at night? Am I trying to avoid driving at night?
• Do I feel like I need stronger/weaker glasses?
• Do I have double vision?
• Do I see colours not as vibrant as they used to be?

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the above, you should inform your optometrist during your next eye test or organise to have an eye test soon.

Persons around the ages of 50 and 60 may have been told that there's a little bit of aging’ in their eyes. Many of them do not require immediate cataract surgery and their optometrist may offer bit of suggestions to slow down the progression, for example:

• Dietary intakes of vitamin E (sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach), lutein and zeaxanthin (spinach, kale, green and leafy veggies)

• Antioxidant vitamins e.g. vitamin C

• Omega-3 fatty acids (fish and fish oil)

WHAT CAUSES CATARACTS?

A deficiency of the above nutrients can be possible factors. Apart from those, ageing or tissue disorders could lead to cataracts as well.

Do I need to have my cataract/s removed?

You can ask yourself the following questions:

1. 1. Is my vision becoming worse?
2. 2. Do I need to drive a lot?
3. 3. Is it getting glary during the day and blurry at night?
4. 4. If I tend to do a lot of reading either for leisure or for work, are the words becoming too blurry no matter what strength of reading glasses I use?
5. 5. Generally is this bothering me and disturbing my daily life?  
6.  

Regular eye tests and communication with your Optometrist are essential for diagnosing your current cataract condition. Your Optometrist can provide you with the best care advice and recommendations for surgery if needed. Book an eye test today to screen for cataracts and to receive a referral to an ophthalmologist.

By Eileen H.

Optometrist at 1001 Optometry.

Need an eye test? BOOK NOW. 

WHAT CAUSES CATARACTS?

A deficiency of the above nutrients can be possible factors. Apart from those, ageing or tissue disorders could lead to cataracts as well.

Do I need to have my cataract/s removed?

You can ask yourself the following questions:

1. 1. Is my vision becoming worse?
2. 2. Do I need to drive a lot?
3. 3. Is it getting glary during the day and blurry at night?
4. 4. If I tend to do a lot of reading either for leisure or for work, are the words becoming too blurry no matter what strength of reading glasses I use?
5. 5. Generally is this bothering me and disturbing my daily life?  
6.  

Organise to see your Optometrist and advise them of the above. Your Optometrist will examine your eyes and assist you to decide if you need cataract surgery soon or if you can continue a little bit further with your current Cataract condition.

Regular eye tests and good communication with your Optometrist are essential for the best diagnosis of your current cataract condition for the best care advice and surgery recommendations.

You can simply get started by booking an eye test. 

By Eileen H.

Optometrist at 1001 Optometry.

Need an eye test? BOOK NOW.