Cataract Awareness Month
More than 20 million Americans over the age of 40 have cataracts and nearly three million patients have cataract surgery in the US annually. Technological advances have made cataract surgery safer, more comfortable and more effective. A cataract is a gradual clouding of the clear lens in the eye, the part that focuses light and produces clear images. As old cells die they become trapped. As time passes, more cells die and accumulate causing the lens to cloud, making vision blurred and dim. Cataracts form slowly and painlessly, but can eventually lead to blindness. Cataracts can be caused by metabolic diseases such as diabetes, an injury to the eye, medications, long-term exposure to the sun, eye surgery, congenital defects or aging. Please refer patients if they are experiencing any of the following: Blurry vision, with no pain Glare, or sensitivity to light Double vision in one eye The need to read with brighter light Poor night vision Dull or yellowed image