Cataracts can be caused by a variety of different factors. Some patients develop them due to traumatic injury or the secondary results of other medical conditions, while for others they are simply the result of age. Elevated risk factors include heavy drinking, smoking cigarettes, and polluted air. Ultimately, though, anyone can end up developing Cataracts in Wichita KS.
The most common symptoms of cataracts include blurred or foggy vision, nearsightedness, and changes in the perception of color and light. This is often especially noticeable when driving at night, as the glare from oncoming headlights may begin to intensify. Some patients with cataracts also develop double vision. When a patient has been diagnosed with Cataracts in Wichita KS, their first option is typically to try corrective glasses or contacts. When this does not work, more advanced and permanent treatment is available in the form of cataract removal surgery.
This procedure involves the removal of the clouded lens and its replacement with an artificial one, usually known as an IOL or an intraocular lens. In rare cases when the lens cannot be replaced, corrective contacts or glasses may still be necessary, but overall success rates for the surgery are around 95%. The simple and common surgery is usually performed as an out-patient procedure, although two appointments may be necessary for patients with cataracts in both eyes.
There are two different types of surgery available to remove clouded lenses. The more popular of the two is phacoemulsification or small-incision surgery. It involves the breaking up of the lens using ultrasound waves and the removal of resulting small pieces through tiny incisions. However, standard extracapsular cataract extraction is still practiced as well. This form of treatment involves fully opening up the lens capsule and removing the blurred lens in one large piece. Both forms of surgery come with the potential for developing after-cataracts, a condition causing the clouding of a patient’s posterior lens capsule. This secondary issue is easily treated via laser surgery.
Are you concerned about blurred vision? The first step is to head to a doctor for a diagnosis. Click here to find more information about one local office that can help.
