Cataracts are a form of eye condition that can affect your vision. Without proper treatment, you can go completely blind. You might experience this condition due to genetic factors, age, etc. There are treatment options that can help you keep your vision intact. Timely intervention is very important in this scenario.
Read this blog to learn if cataracts can cause blindness and how you can prevent this from happening.
What Exactly Are Cataracts?
You develop cataracts when the natural lens of your eyes becomes cloudy. This can decrease your vision. It happens because proteins start clumping in your lens and prevent the passage of light. You might develop this condition slowly over time.
It usually begins with minor changes like blurred vision and can gradually advance to complete blindness. This is a very significant health condition. You might be more prone to this condition if you are an older adult aged 60 or above.
You can experience this eye condition due to genetic factors, diabetes, bad lifestyle habits, etc.
How Can Blindness Caused By Cataracts Affect Your Life?
Blindness caused by cataracts can severely affect your life. You can lose your ability to perform daily activities. You might have to spend tons of money on treatments and medications. You will also need daily caregiving due to a lack of vision. It also increases the risk of experiencing falls and accidents.
This condition can also make you feel socially isolated. The blindness can prevent you from going out, especially at night.
What Are The Treat Options For Blindness Caused By Cataracts?
Here are the treatment options that can help you prevent blindness from cataract issues:
Surgical Options
Cataract surgery in Scottsdale can help you regain your vision. In this process, the surgeon will remove the protein-clotted natural lens from your eyes. They will then replace it with an artificial lens known as an artificial intraocular lens.
The dentist might use ultrasound waves to break up your cloudy lens. They will then remove it by creating a small incision in your eyes. The doctor might also use a larger incision to take out the affected lens from your eyes in one piece.
The latter procedure is usually used for more advanced cases.
Non Surgical Options
At the early stage, you can manage your condition without surgery. Wear sunglasses to reduce glare and use brighter lighting at home. Prescription lenses and glasses can also help improve your vision. However, these methods do not address the underlying cause.
How To Recover After Treatment For Cataracts?
After undergoing surgery, you must follow the instructions given by your surgeon. Use eye drops to prevent risks of redness, swelling, and infection. Avoid straining your eyes. Resting them will help you heal faster.
Follow-up appointments can help the doctor check your progress. This condition is quite common. According to studies, almost 24.4 million adults aged 40 years or older suffer from this condition. So, always see a professional in case of vision problems.
Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness. However, this condition is very treatable. Understanding the causes and treatment options will help you deal with it more efficiently. With adequate care, you can keep your vision intact.
Are you ready to fight off the blindness caused by cataracts? Contact Us to consult a specialist today!