Almost one in five people in the U.S. from ages 65 to 74 are dealing with the vision challenges of cataracts. As the leading cause of blindness in the world, it’s essential to understand the proper treatment to preserve your vision.
While cataract surgery is the only way to remove cataracts and prevent them from returning, you may be wondering whether they can go away on their own or be treated with lifestyle changes. Keep reading to learn more about whether cataracts will go away on their own.
What are Cataracts and How Do They Form?
Cataracts are cloudy patches that develop on the natural lens of the eye, resulting in blurry vision. They typically form due to the natural breakdown of proteins in the lens as you age.
These proteins then clump together, forming cataracts. However, not all cataracts are age-related.
Cataracts can be present at birth, in the case of congenital cataracts, they can form as a result of an eye injury, or can form as a complication of cataract surgery called posterior capsular opacification. Most cataracts are age-related, though, and tend to affect adults over the age of 40.
What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?
Cataracts often form slowly over many years, meaning patients may not even know they have them. However, as they continue to progress, they may cause symptoms including:
- Cloudy, blurry vision
- Trouble seeing at night
- Needing a brighter light to read
- Double vision
- Colors look more faded or yellowed
- Noticing halos, glares, streaks, or starbursts around lights
- Needing frequent prescription changes to accommodate worsening vision
If you are experiencing symptoms of cataracts, you should schedule an appointment with your eye doctor at VisionFirst Eye Center. They will perform a comprehensive eye exam to properly diagnose your condition and recommend a treatment plan.
Can Lifestyle Changes Prevent or Reverse Cataracts?
Cataract surgery is the only way to effectively treat cataracts. While some sources have claimed you can treat cataracts with vitamins or supplements, research has found that they can neither prevent nor reverse cataracts.
However, certain risk factors can increase your chance of developing cataracts, including:
- Tobacco smoke
- Alcohol
- Having diabetes or high blood sugar
- History of eye surgeries
- Air pollution
- Industrial chemicals
- Family history of cataracts
- Having certain eye conditions like uveitis or retina pigmentosa
- Pesticides
- Using corticosteroids
- Prolonged UV light exposure
While some of these factors may be out of your control, incorporating practices like reducing your exposure to UV light or limiting your tobacco and alcohol use could help reduce your chances of developing cataracts.
What is Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery treats cataracts by removing the cloudy natural lens and replacing it with an intraocular lens, or IOL. This procedure can restore your vision and prevent cataracts from returning.
It also offers an exciting opportunity to further improve your vision with premium IOLs. These lenses can reduce your reliance on glasses and contacts, providing you with greater visual freedom than ever before.
VisionFirst Eye Center offers extended focus, trifocal, and toric premium IOLs to accommodate different lifestyles, refractive errors, and visual goals.
How to Know When You Need Cataract Surgery
If you are diagnosed with cataracts, you may not need treatment right away. The symptoms of early cataracts can often be improved with glasses and contacts.
However, when you reach the point where it is difficult to complete everyday tasks like driving, going to work, cooking, or socializing, you should consider cataract surgery. Your eye doctor at VisionFirst Eye Center can help you decide the right time for your procedure and answer any questions you may have about the process.
Do you want to learn more about restoring your eyesight with cataract surgery? Schedule an appointment at VisionFirst Eye Center in Birmingham, AL, today!
