Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Cataracts on November 4, 2024
If you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts, you may not need treatment immediately, as they typically take a long time to show symptoms. However, once they start affecting your daily life, it may be time to consider cataract surgery.
Keep reading to learn more about 4 signs it’s time for cataract surgery and how the procedure can improve your vision.
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts are clumps of protein that form on the natural lens of the eye, usually as a result of aging. They can make your vision cloudy and cause symptoms like:
- Blurry vision
- Poor night vision
- Faded or yellowed vision
- Light sensitivity
- Halos and glares
- Double vision
Cataracts often develop slowly over a long period. At first, glasses and contacts may be enough to maintain functional vision.
However, once they start to impact your ability to participate in everyday life, you may need cataract surgery.
How Do You Know When It’s Time for Cataract Surgery?
Your cataract surgeon at EyeHealth Northwest will conduct a consultation to determine whether you’re suited for the procedure, but candidacy will also be based on how you feel cataracts are impacting your life. Here are 4 signs you may be ready for cataract surgery:
1. Difficulty Driving at Night
One of the most common symptoms of cataracts is poor night vision. This can make driving at night dangerous, especially if your cataracts are more developed.
They can also cause halos and glare around lights, making oncoming headlights and streetlamps potential distractions. The combination of these symptoms can make driving unsafe at night, impacting your freedom and complicating your life.
Cataract surgery can help you regain that freedom by removing your cataract-affected natural lens and replacing it with a clear intraocular lens (IOL). Then, whether you’re taking a short trip to the grocery store for some late-night snacks or heading out on a long road trip overnight, you won’t have to worry about poor night vision getting in the way.
2. Trouble Reading or Working
Cataracts can impact your ability to read clearly, making it difficult to do everything from enjoying a book to following a recipe. If you spend a lot of time at the computer for your job, you may also find cataracts are affecting your performance.
For more hands-on work, it can also prevent you from gathering the information you need to stay safe. You may not be able to understand instructions when using machinery or notice signs that advise you to take caution in certain environments.
After cataract surgery, you won’t have to worry about cataracts clouding your vision and can work, read, and navigate your surroundings with confidence.
3. Avoiding Socialization
As your cataracts begin to worsen, you may find yourself avoiding socialization due to anxiety about poor vision. This can significantly impact your quality of life and make you feel out of control.
If you choose a premium IOL like the Light Adjustable Lens for cataract surgery, you can have more control over your vision than ever. It is the only IOL customizable to your unique vision needs after cataract surgery.
Through a series of UV light treatments, you can personalize your vision and test drive options as you go. Once you have eyesight that’s truly yours, you can make vivid memories with friends and loved ones you’ll treasure for years to come.
4. Inability to Participate in Your Favorite Hobbies
Whether you love bird-watching, golfing, or traveling, blurry, cloudy vision can dull more than just your sight. Cataracts can affect your ability to hit that golf ball, spot that cardinal, or navigate around a foreign city.
After cataract surgery with a premium IOL like the multifocal lens, you can enjoy crystal-clear vision at multiple distances and ensure you are at the top of your game, no matter your hobby.
Is it time for you to consider cataract surgery? Schedule a consultation at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today to find out!
