Cataracts

Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Cataracts on August 19, 2013

As we grow older our bodies experience many different changes, and our eyes are no exception to this rule. Usually as we age and our vision becomes more blurred, we assume that we probably need new glasses with a stronger prescription, but in fact, cataracts may be the culprit behind our declined vision.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in Americans 65 years old and older. By age 80, nearly half of all adults will develop a cataract. This month take some time to learn how to recognize the symptoms, find treatment, and educate those around you about this common yet treatable eye condition.

What is a cataract?

A cataract is an opacity that clouds the natural lens inside the eye. Normally the path of light to the retina (where the light sensors of the eye are) is as clear as possible. When proteins that make up the lens clump together, the resulting cataract blocks some of the light making vision blurry or hazy. Cataracts may start in one eye or can develop in both eyes around the same time. They are not painful and therefore can go unnoticed. 

Symptoms

Symptoms can include:

  • Fading or dimness of colors
  • Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions
  • Trouble reading small print
  • Glare and halos around lights
  • Blurry or cloudy vision
  • Distortion of vision in one eye more than the other
  • Difficulty driving, especially at night

Treatment

Cataract surgery is considered one of the most popular and highly successful procedures for improving vision in cataract patients. In fact, a recent study by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons reported that 98% of cataract patients had their vision successfully improved following cataract surgery. Many patients reported that their vision was even better than it was before they developed cataracts due to the vision-correcting nature of the surgery.

Prevention

While there are no clinically proven approaches to preventing cataracts, simple preventive strategies can be taken to including reducing exposure to UV rays, quitting smoking, and increasing antioxidant vitamin intake through the consumption of leafy green vegetables and nutritional supplements. UV blocking sunglasses should be worn whenever you’re exposed to the sun’s harmful rays. If you currently smoke, quit as it will decrease your likelihood of developing cataracts. The American Academy of Ophthalmologists also recommends eating a diet that is rich in antioxidants such as spinach, broccoli, and eggs. Studies have also suggested that Vitamin C and E supplements may help to lower the risk of developing cataracts.

It is also very important that you schedule a regular eye examination, especially if you are over 40 to help diagnose cataracts and other common eye complications.


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Aloha, OR 97003
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Portland, OR 97213
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Troutdale, OR 97060
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Hillsboro, OR 97124
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Milwaukie, OR 97222
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Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Westside Surgery Center
13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more
EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center
12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more

Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Surgery Centers

Westside Surgery Center

13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more

EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center

12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more