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Educating Ourselves About Cataracts Is One of the First Steps in Fighting Debilitating Condition

February 25, 2013

Cataracts is a condition that occurs due to clouding of the lens inside the eye. It is the most common source of blindness, and while education may not prevent this conditioning from coming on, it can help in the treatment of it.

What is a Cataract?

Most individuals believe that cataracts are a cloudy film that glazes over the surface of the eye and distorts their vision. In actuality, cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye, not the surface. With a cloudy lens, light is unable to penetrate the eye properly, and instead, light creates images that are blurry, distorted or glaring. Looking through the lens with a cataract is similar to looking through dirty windows. People can see vague images and outlines, but cannot make out details. It also is a slow progressive disorder. Cataracts do not suddenly appear overnight. It takes a period of time before the cataract clouds the entire lens, causing vision loss and distortion.

What are the Symptoms?

Cataracts are an evasive, but relatively asymptomatic disorder. There is no pain or discomfort associated with cataracts, nor are there any symptoms other than a gradual clouding of the lens. People who do not get regular check-ups could in fact have cataracts developing and not even know it. Patients with cataracts will start to notice small differences in their vision, but the progression is so minimal that most people ignore the signs until it's too late.

People who develop cataracts will begin to complain about glares, especially when driving at night. Lights on the roads can begin to streak, causing weaker vision and blending of images. People may also notice they can't maintain a strong focus on items, such as watching the progression of a baseball or a football. Instead, they see the baseball up close, but then the baseball blends into the background and ultimately disappears to them. Many will believe it is just 'old age' catching up to them, and something they must live with, but these vision distortions aren't a life sentence. Cataracts can be treated, if caught early enough.

Cataract Treatment

There is only one way to treat cataracts: cataract removal surgery. Surgery is the only option, and for many, that is a terrifying thought. Cataract surgery is not the same as it was 30 years ago. With state-of-art surgical techniques and equipment, eye surgeons can easily remove cataracts with little to no scarring, and can even help patients become reliant on their actual eyesight, not dependent on their glasses.

Surgery can be frightening, but for some, losing vision and thereby losing quality of life is more terrifying. If you need cataracts removed, it is best to choose a surgeon whose specialty is cataract removal. Find a well-qualified doctor who has a respectable track record and high success rate with his or her patients. Do your research on cataracts and cataract removal before meeting with the surgeon. Don't be afraid to ask questions and get to know your surgeon before the surgery. A qualified surgeon will be happy to work with you to ease your fears and help you regain your sight.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7517934


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