Understanding Cataracts And Why Laser Cataract Surgery Is The Best Cataract Treatment

By Author: Laurie Whittier
Total Articles: 3
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People over the age of forty are prone to having cataracts, considered as among the leading cause of blindness across the globe. They are more common than other eye conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic neuropathy, and macular degeneration.

A cataract often manifest as the clouding of the eye's lens. In the United States, there are over 22 million cases of cataracts today and expected to rise to over 30 million in less than a decade.

Once you notice changes in your vision, it will be best to consult your eye care provider. In case you are dealing with cataracts, they are easily resolved now through laser cataract surgery.

Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Prevention of Cataracts

The human eye operates like a camera. It needs to be able to focus light in order to have a clear vision. Its focus must also be adjusted so you can see clearly. The lens of the eyes consists of protein and water and because of aging, these proteins may clump and start forming some cloudiness around the lens that we know now as cataracts.

Cataracts may be due to several factors such as aging, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, ...
... medicine intake, family history, alcohol consumption, among others.

There are several kinds of cataracts. A cortical cataract can be compared to the the spokes of a bike. It appears like wedge-shape opacities emanating from the sides of the lens going to the center. There are also nuclear cataracts that forms in the nucleus of the lens and often linked to the normal aging process. Those with diabetes or have been subjected to high dosage of steroids are often affected by subscapular cataracts that forms at the back of the lens.

People the develop cataract often complain that they cannot see clearly as if they are looking through a hazy glass. They may also complain that the light of vehicles or lamps are too bright while colors of objects seem to be dull.

Experts are still debating if cataracts can be truly prevented. However, there have been studies that established that higher intakes of lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin E helps lower risks of cataracts. Others also push for consumption of higher doses of vitamin C and foods rich in omega-3.

Laser Cataract Surgery

Today, the treatment of choice for cataracts is laser cataract surgery. Your eye care provider can perform such in a matter of minutes to give you clearer eyesight.

The eye doctor cuts through the capsule of the lens of the eye using a laser so the cataract can be treated. The laser softens the cataract and breaks it down into pieces. Unlike traditional cataract surgery, using laser enables the doctor to be more accurate with the operation. During the laser cataract surgery, eye problems such as astigmatism can also be corrected using the proper lenses. More often, patients leave the operating room without the need to wear eyeglasses anymore.

The techniques for laser cataract surgery are constantly improved and perfected. The same is true for all equipment that makes the operation more favorable for the patients.

Gainesville Eye Associates is the trusted group of eye care providers and are among the top teams that perform laser cataract surgery in the state Georgia and the country.