Don’t Lose Your Vision to Untreated Cataracts

Posted by Dr. Matthew Clary on December 29th, 2020

Behind the colored part of your eye – the iris – lies the lens through which you see the world. As you age, this lens becomes susceptible to protein buildup, leading to a cloudy, obstructed lens called a cataract. More than half of all adults over the age of 75 develop cataracts.

A common problem with an irreversible outcome

Cataracts do not affect older adults exclusively, although that is more common by far. Young people can develop cataracts as well, as a result of trauma to the eye, exposure to radiation, or as a symptom of diabetes. Unfortunately, there is little one can do to prevent cataracts. If cataracts run in the family, you are likely to develop them as you age.

Cloudiness in the lens can lead to total blindness eventually. Depending on the cause of your cataract, you may have much or little time to address the problem before you lose your vision. Age-degenerative cataracts develop slowly, typically impairing vision after 10-15 years of buildup. However, cataracts that are not age-degenerative but are congenital or otherwise symptomatic of an illness may progress rapidly and need immediate attention.

A modern solution with a high success rate

As scary as it sounds to lose your vision to cataracts, there is good news. Your local Columbia, SC Ophthalmology practice can remove the problematic lens and replace it with a clean, artificial lens through cataract surgery. The complete process takes only a few hours, without anesthesia and without pain. Most patients recover instantly, with remarkably improved vision. Besides eliminating the cloudiness, cataract surgery can correct the inherent problems in your vision. Many types of artificial lenses are available today for a variety of needs, from trifocal vision to astigmatism correction.

Don’t put off instantly improving your vision. Why put up with visual occlusion when there is a safe, reliable solution in surgery? Have your cataracts removed before you lose sight. If you live in South Carolina, cataract surgery is successful and innovative at the hands of the professionals at The Eye Center in Columbia.

About the Author

The Eye Center is the leading refractive practice in South Carolina, providing full-service eye care and specializing in Refractive Surgery – Lasik, AST, PRK, PRELEX, as well as Corneal Transplant and Cataract Surgery.