Is Vision Loss Due to Cataracts Permanent?

Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Cataracts on July 22, 2022

As your body ages, your eyes age as well. Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process and can cause various symptoms, including blurry vision up close.

The good news is that cataract surgery can restore your vision! Cataract surgery is minimally invasive, offers a quick recovery, and you can resume your everyday activities with clear, bright vision within days of the procedure.

Keep reading to learn more about cataracts and if vision loss due to cataracts is permanent!

What is a Cataract?

A healthy eye has a lens that’s colorless and transparent. It’s a disc that sits behind the iris, the colored part of the eye. 

The lens is flexible and allows the eye to focus light, making objects both close-up and far away appear crisp and sharp. Due to aging, the lens can become cloudy and opaque over time, reducing the amount of light that enters the eye and affecting your sight.

The cloudy lens is called a cataract. Some describe it as looking through a fogged-up window. 

Cataracts can also cause your vision to be blurry, make it harder to see at night, and make colors appear dim or faded.

Symptoms of Cataract

Cataracts can cause different symptoms in different people. However, there are some common symptoms. 

If you’re experiencing some of the symptoms below, it could be the start of cataracts:

  • Blurry, hazy, or cloudy vision
  • Colors that are faded, less intense, reduced, or have a yellowish tint
  • Glare from light sources
  • Double vision or ghosting of images
  • Difficulty seeing at night
  • Difficulty reading or performing other near activities

Cataracts often occur slowly. Because of this, you may not notice any apparent changes in your vision until they become more advanced.

Cataracts are commonplace among older adults. In fact, it’s the most common cause of vision loss in adults forty and older. 

Situations that Increase Cataract Risk

Cataracts can develop for other reasons beyond the aging process. In addition, certain factors may cause cataracts to develop earlier in life. 

Some examples of these factors are:

  • Medical conditions such as diabetes
  • Certain drugs such as corticosteroids
  • A family history of cataracts
  • Previous trauma to the eye
  • Previous eye surgery
  • Smoking

When to Have Cataract Surgery

Typically, eye doctors will wait to recommend cataract surgery until your reduced vision impairs your daily activities and you have difficulty performing everyday tasks. 

Cataract surgery will replace your cloudy lens with an artificial IOL implant that will restore your vision. Your EyeHealth Northwest eye doctor will help you determine which lens will best accomplish your goals. 

When it’s time for cataract surgery, you’ll make the right choice with an EyeHealth NorthWest surgeon. Collectively, the surgeons at EyeHealth NW perform over 10,000 surgeries a year.

As leaders in cataract and laser surgery in the Portland Metro, our surgeons will help guide you through various options. You’ll be able to make a choice that’s compatible with your lifestyle and even reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses. 

Your vision will not only be restored but will be better than ever. 

Are you interested in learning more about how cataract surgery can restore your vision? Schedule an appointment at Eyehealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!


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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
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