Cataracts

What is a Cataract?

A cataract refers to the clouding of your eye’s clear lens. Its most direct equivalent would be translucent windows: You can see through it but might have a hard time distinguishing the details on the other side.

The formation of a cataract is a progressive condition that doesn’t always exhibit symptoms. As the condition builds, cataracts ultimately impact your vision. There are four main types of cataracts:

• Nuclear Cataracts: Nuclear cataracts occur at the center of the lens, causing nearsightedness over time. As this condition progresses, your lens will turn yellow or brown, ultimately clouding your vision to the point where you can no longer distinguish colors.
• Cortical Cataracts: With cortical cataracts, wedge-shaped opacities, or cloudy areas, start to form at the edges of the eye’s lens. Over time, the opacities can worsen and refract light as it passes through the center of the eye, making it difficult to see.
• Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts: Posterior subcapsular cataracts start at the back of the lens and progressively block the path of light. You might experience difficulty reading or being exposed to bright light. In some cases, halos might form around lights at night.
• Congenital Cataracts: Congenital cataracts refer to cataracts you’re either born with or that you develop during childhood. Congenital cataracts don’t typically affect vision, though you might consider removing them if you’re experiencing symptoms.

What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

Cataracts might exhibit any of the following symptoms:

• Night vision issues
• Clouded, blurred or dim vision
• Halo sightings around lights
• Regular prescription changes
• Light sensitivity
• Double vision
• Fading of colors

How is a Cataract Diagnosed?

Your optometrist at Bronx Eye Associates first reviews your symptoms and medical history before performing any of the following tests:

• Slit-lamp exam to look at your cornea, lens, and iris
• Retina exam to check the back your eye
• Visual acuity test to measure your reading capacities

How Do You Treat Cataracts?

The team of optometrists at Bronx Eyes Associates recommends surgery as the most effective treatment for cataracts. Removing cataracts isn’t urgent unless you start experiencing debilitating symptoms.

In this case, surgery might be your only option. Cataract surgery consists of removing the clouded lens and supplanting it with an artificial one.

Contact Bronx Eye Associates today by phone or online to learn more about whether you might be affected by cataracts.