Posted by: Galanis Cataract & Laser Eye Surgery in Cataract Surgery
What are Cataract Symptoms?
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts are a common eye condition affecting millions of people around the globe. As we age, the likelihood of developing cataracts grows, making it essential to understand the early signs and symptoms. In this article, Galanis Cataract & Laser Eye Center dives into the critical symptoms to watch out for and how you can treat cataracts to help you better understand your eye health.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Cataracts
Under normal circumstances, the lens in our eyes is clear, but cataracts cause the lens to become clouded. This cloudiness develops gradually, and the symptoms can vary in intensity. Recognizing the signs of cataracts is crucial for knowing when it’s time to visit an eye specialist. Here are the most common symptoms of cataracts:
Cloudy or Blurry Vision
One of the earliest symptoms of cataracts is a gradual loss of clarity in vision, often starting as mild cloudiness or blurriness. You may find it difficult to read small text or see fine details, but your vision might not be severely affected initially. Over time, however, this blurriness tends to worsen, making everyday activities such as reading or driving more challenging.
Trouble Seeing at Night
Cataracts can significantly reduce your ability to see clearly in low-light conditions. You might notice increased glare from headlights or become more sensitive to bright lights in dark settings. This occurs because the clouded lens scatters light, leading to discomfort and making activities like driving at night increasingly hazardous.
Increased Light Sensitivity
Photophobia, or an increased sensitivity to bright lights and glare, is another common symptom of cataracts. Exposure to bright sunlight, headlights, or indoor lighting can be uncomfortable, often causing you to squint or shield your eyes. This heightened sensitivity can be bothersome and affect your daily routines, making it difficult to function in brightly lit environments.
Seeing Halos Around Lights
If you have cataracts, the clouded lens can scatter light in multiple directions, causing halos or rings to appear around light sources. This effect is most noticeable in low-light situations, such as at night when streetlights or car headlights might appear surrounded by glowing circles, which can be disorienting and create safety concerns.
Double Vision
People with cataracts often experience double vision, where a single object appears as two overlapping images. While closing one eye might temporarily alleviate the problem, it doesn’t address the root cause. Persistent double vision can lead to additional issues, such as headaches, which can interfere with your daily activities.
What to Expect from Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery may seem daunting at first glance, but it is a standard and safe procedure completed an estimated 20 million times annually, making it one of the most frequently performed surgeries worldwide. As you prepare for cataract surgery, here’s what you can expect during the process:
- A small incision is made. The surgery’s main goal is to remove the cloudy natural lens affected by the cataract, which is done with a precise incision. This incision is so tiny that it often requires no stitches and heals quickly on its own.
- The affected lens is replaced. Once the clouded lens is removed, it is replaced with a new, clear artificial lens known as an intraocular lens (IOL). The IOL is designed to restore clarity to your vision and is a permanent part of your eye.
- Efficiency is the name of the game. One of the most remarkable aspects of cataract surgery is its efficiency. The entire procedure typically takes about 10 minutes to complete and is normally performed under local anesthesia, so you won’t feel any pain.
It’s important to follow your surgeon’s instructions post-surgery to ensure the best possible outcome. Luckily, most patients can return to their normal activities shortly after the surgery with clearer vision. To learn more about the procedure and how to prepare, visit our Cataract Surgery page.
Cataract Surgery Recovery
After the procedure, most patients found that they could return to their daily routines within one to two days. However, during the recovery period, it’s critical to follow the post-surgery care instructions provided by your doctor. This can include using eye drops to prevent infection and inflammation, wearing protective eyewear, and avoiding certain activities that could strain your eyes.
The good news is that only one eye is operated on at a time, with a gap of a few weeks between surgeries. This approach gives the first eye ample time to heal before the second procedure and ensures that you have a smoother, more comfortable recovery. By treating one eye at a time, you can maintain some level of normalcy in your vision during the recovery process.
Financing Cataract Surgery
At Galanis Cataract & Laser Eye Center, we understand that cataract surgery is a significant investment, which is why we strive to make it accessible and affordable to all patients. Your local Galanis Cataract & Laser Eye Center accepts Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), allowing you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for your cataract surgery. Plus, cataract surgery is recognized as a qualified healthcare expense, meaning that any costs associated with the procedure can be covered using your HSA or FSA funds.
If you’re exploring other financing and payment options, we’re here to help. To learn more about our options and find the best solution for you, connect with your local Galanis Cataract & Laser Eye Center.