Cataract Doctors & Treatments at Clarkson Eyecare
Our Cataract Specialists
The team at Clarkson Eyecare specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cataracts. Our local eye doctors use the latest technology in eye exams and work with our cataract surgeons to determine the best solution to improve or restore your vision and eye health.
If you are one of the 2.4 million Americans living with cataracts, Clarkson Eyecare can help you see clearly again.
Find a Cataract Doctor Near You
At Clarkson Eyecare, our goal is to provide every patient with the best vision possible. We have locations in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, and Virginia. Click here or call (844) 393-2326 to schedule an appointment with one of our cataract eye doctors near you.
What Causes Cataracts?
Cataracts are one of the most common vision problems, with almost 50% of Americans suffering from them. A cataract occurs when the tissues of the lens in your eye discolor and opacify, preventing light from passing through your eye and impairing your vision. While aging is the most common cause, cataracts can also be genetic and affect people of all ages. Risk factors for cataracts include:
Diabetes
Hypertension
High blood pressure
Extensive steroid use
Significant alcohol consumption
Obesity
Smoking
High myopia
Sun exposure
Family history of cataracts
Previous eye injury or eye surgery
Lifestyle habits can help prevent cataracts or reduce their impact on your vision. Not smoking, healthy eating, using bright light when reading, wearing sunglasses when outdoors, and limiting your sun exposure can improve your overall eye health.
What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?
Because cataracts develop over time, the symptoms appear slowly. The first sign of a cataract is generally hazy or blurred vision. Other symptoms of cataracts include:
Double vision
Trouble seeing well at night or in dim light
Seeing halos around headlights at night
Seeing bright colors as faded or yellowish
Light and glare sensitivity
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an eye exam at Clarkson Eyecare to diagnose your eye condition and discuss your options. If you are diagnosed with cataracts, your eye doctor will help you decide if prescription eyeglasses, specialty contact lenses, or cataract removal surgery is best for you.
Common Types of Cataracts
Different types of cataracts affect different areas of vision. The cataract doctors at Clarkson Eyecare are experts in eye diseases and can diagnose the type of cataract you have as well as determine the severity.
Nuclear Sclerotic Cataracts
Nuclear Sclerotic cataracts affect the center of the lens and turn the lens a yellow-brown color, causing blurry vision and difficulty seeing colors. These cataracts may first cause far away objects to appear blurry, but with time, it will worsen your overall vision.
Anterior Cortical Cataracts
Anterior cortical cataracts affect the edges of the lens and cause light to scatter as it enters the eye. This type begins as a white, wedge-shaped spot or streak that can spread to the center of the eye, impacting how light passes through the lens.
Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts
Posterior subcapsular cataracts affect the back of the lens and impact reading vision and cause halos around lights while driving. A small spot typically forms near the back of the lens and often impacts reading vision.
Congenital Cataracts
People are typically born with congenital cataracts or they develop at a young age. They may also be caused by an infection or trauma that occurs in the womb.
How Are Cataracts Treated?
There are several ways to treat cataracts depending on their severity and impact on your quality of life. For instance, if you have mild cataracts that cause your vision to become slightly blurry, wearing eyeglasses or contacts may correct the problem. Severe cataracts may require surgery to remove them.
What Does Cataract Surgery Involve?
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure involving lens implants. During cataract surgery, a tiny incision is made on the eye and the impacted lens is removed. It is replaced with a clear, artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL) through the same incision. The entire procedure only takes about 10 minutes. If you qualify for cataract surgery, Clarkson EyeCare will refer you to a nearby ophthalmologist.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cataracts
The actual surgical procedure generally takes about 10 minutes. If you have cataracts in both eyes, Clarkson Eyecare typically treats one at a time, with surgeries scheduled for each eye one to four weeks apart.
Like any other surgery, there will be a period of recovery following the procedure. Most patients report their vision is blurry right after surgery, but they can resume normal activities within one to two days.
While you are awake during cataract surgery, your cataract doctor will use local anesthetics and sedatives to keep you relaxed and pain-free.
If your cataracts have gotten to the point where they severely impair your normal day to day activities, cataract removal surgery is deemed medically necessary, and most insurances will cover it.
Check with your cataract doctor to see if your vision insurance covers the procedure and if flexible payment options are available.
Cataracts should be removed when they interfere with normal activities such as driving, reading, or watching TV. Discuss your cataract symptoms with your eye doctor and decide together whether cataract surgery is right for you.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Cataract Doctors
The team at Clarkson Eyecare specializes in eye diseases and ocular conditions. Routine eye exams allow our doctors to provide you with the best vision possible. If you are diagnosed with a cataract, we will work with you to determine the best treatment option for your eyes. To assess your eye health and treat cataracts, schedule an eye exam with our experts today.