Cataracts are inevitable. As you get older, your chances of developing them only continue to rise. When cataracts start affecting daily activities, simple things like reading or driving become frustrating, and what used to be easy starts feeling harder than it should.
If cataracts are affecting daily activities for you, there is hope. Cataracts can put a stop to some of your favorite hobbies by clouding your vision, and they can tint everything yellow or brown. Cataract removal surgery is one of the most common procedures in medicine, and it is safe and well understood.
Keep reading to learn how cataracts affect daily activities and what cataract surgery can do for you. You can also learn more about cataract surgery at Vision Care of Maine.
How Cataracts Affecting Daily Activities Begin
A cataract is made up of proteins in the fluid that flows through your eye. As cataracts form, these proteins clump together on the lens of the eye. The lens helps focus light onto the retina, so when it clouds over, your vision suffers.
At first, the change is subtle. Over time, the protein clumps grow larger and block more light. When cataracts start affecting daily activities like reading, driving, or recognizing faces, it is usually time to consider surgery.
The Goal of Cataract Surgery
The goal of cataract surgery is more than just removing the cloudy lens. During the procedure, your surgeon at Vision Care of Maine uses an ultrasonic device or laser to break up the lens. The pieces are then gently removed from your eye.
Once the cloudy lens is gone, a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL) is placed in your eye. The IOL does the work of your natural lens without clouding your vision. For many patients, this is the moment cataracts stop affecting daily activities and life returns to normal.
Choosing the Right IOL
Before surgery, you will talk with your surgeon about which IOL is right for you. IOLs can also correct refractive errors, which means you may see better than you have in years.
- Monofocal IOLs improve distance vision. You may still need reading glasses. This is the only IOL covered by Medicare.
- Multifocal IOLs provide clear vision at multiple distances.
- Accommodating IOLs mimic the small movements of a natural lens.
- Toric IOLs correct astigmatism.
Premium IOLs (multifocal, accommodating, and toric) are great if you want more freedom from glasses after surgery. For more information on lens options, the American Academy of Ophthalmology offers detailed guides.
Ready to Stop Cataracts Affecting Daily Activities?
If cataracts are affecting daily activities for you, the next step is a cataract evaluation with one of our surgeons. We see patients in Bangor and perform surgery at our Presque Isle Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Schedule a cataract evaluation with Vision Care of Maine today.