What You Should and Shouldn’t Know About Cataracts

Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Cataracts on August 28, 2020

Older couple reading about Cataracts

Are you starting to find it difficult to drive at night? Have you been seeing halos around lights?

These are signs that you could be developing cataracts. Cataracts are one of the most common eye conditions that you may develop.  There are many misconceptions about cataracts that patients hear. Keep reading to learn some of the things you should and shouldn’t know about cataracts!  

Cataracts are Common

Almost everyone will develop cataracts at some point in their life. By the age of 80, at least half of all people will have or will already have had cataracts.  As you get older, cataracts become more and more common.  

You Can Only Remove Cataracts During Cataract Surgery 

There are rumors that there are other ways to treat cataracts besides cataract surgery. This is untrue.

Other treatments that claim to treat cataracts without surgery do not work. The only way you can treat cataracts is by having them removed during cataract surgery.

During cataract surgery, the surgeon will remove your natural lens. After removing the lens, it is then replaced with an artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens.

By removing the natural lens and replacing it with an IOL, patients can see clearly after cataract surgery. There are several kinds of IOLs available, so it’s important to choose the one that’s best for your lifestyle and needs. 

After Surgery, You Should Have Clear Vision

When you have vision loss from cataracts, it is because you have not had cataract surgery. Once you have cataract surgery, you should regain any vision lost due to cataracts.

If your vision is not clear after cataract surgery, this is not something to worry about. Let your doctor know if your vision does not improve in the weeks or months after cataract surgery.

This may mean you need another procedure called a YAG capsulotomy. 

Cataracts Cannot Grow Back

After removing your cataracts, they cannot “grow back”. Cataracts can only form on the lens of the eye. As the lens is what’s removed during surgery, you cannot have cataracts again.

You can develop what’s known as a secondary cataract. This means that the artificial lens placed in the eye is cloudy and needs to be fixed. This is easily done during a procedure called a YAG capsulotomy. Even if you do develop a secondary cataract, it is not a true cataract, merely a clouding of the artificial lens. 

You Cannot Prevent Cataracts

Everyone is at risk for developing cataracts. There is no way to ever guarantee you will never develop them. In most cases, cataracts develop as a result of aging. If you want to prevent their early development, you can try the following things:

  • Not smoking
  • Only drinking alcohol in moderation
  • Managing your diabetes if you’re diabetic 
  • Eating a healthy and balanced diet
  • Protecting your eyes from the sun
  • Having regular eye exams

Following these instructions can only make you less likely to develop cataracts early on. It is not a guarantee that you will never eventually develop cataracts. Do you think you have cataracts? Getting regular eye exams is the best way to diagnose and monitor cataracts.  Having an understanding of cataracts and their misconceptions is important. Schedule a cataract screening at EyeHealth Northwest in Happy Valley, OR to find out if cataract surgery may be in your future!


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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