June is Cataract Awareness Month
At Cargo Eye Care of Las Colinas, we want all of our patients of any age to enjoy their best possible vision at every stage of life. As June is Cataract Awareness Month, we would like to take this opportunity to educate our valued patients about the risk factors and symptoms of cataracts as well as when you should see your doctor and when to have cataract surgery.
What is a Cataract?
Some people mistakenly think that a cataract is a growth on the eye but this is not correct. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens that blocks the lens from being able to focus light on the retina. This clouding is usually minimal at first; not always affecting vision. Cataracts most often develop slowly over time, and eventually, if left untreated, they will rob you of your sight.
How Common Are Cataracts?
Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness among older Americans. Today, cataracts affect more than 25 million people in the U.S. aged 40 and older, and more than half of all Americans will have cataracts by the time they are 80 years old. That means the more candles you have on your birthday cake, the more likely it is that you will develop sight-threatening cataracts.
What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?
Not every person will have every symptom but there are some common symptoms most people who are developing cataracts will experience as their cataracts begin to worsen.
- Vision becomes cloudy or blurry
- Colors aren’t as vibrant as they used to be
- Trouble seeing well at night
- Lamps, sunlight or headlights seem too bright
- Glare or halo around lights
- Seeing double (this sometimes goes away as the cataract gets bigger)
- Frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions
If you have any of these symptoms, please schedule an appointment with one of our experienced eye doctors, because they could be signs of cataract development but could also be signs of other eye problems.
When Should I Go to the Doctor?
According to Google, this is one of the most frequently asked questions around the topic of cataracts. But when our patients ask us this question, we like to tell them that when cataracts begin to affect their everyday life in a negative way, that’s when it is time to see your doctor.
“Cataracts are very common and affect more people than any other eye disease. The good news is that vision loss from cataracts can be restored with cataract surgery. We encourage everyone to learn the facts about cataracts and the steps that should be taken to have your vision restored.”
Dr. Jonathan Cargo, founder of Cargo Eye Care of Las Colinas
If our experienced clinical team determines that you or your loved one is indeed dealing with cataracts, you have nothing to fear. We will work with you every step of your journey. We partner with some of the area’s best cataract surgeons to provide all your pre- and post-op cataract surgery care.
Your Vision Is Our Passion
At Cargo Eye Care of Las Colinas, we believe everyone deserves to see well and have healthy eyes. If you are in the most “senior” position of your family, we invite you to schedule a cataract evaluation today. Our goal is to exceed all your expectations by creating a warm, comfortable environment and providing an exceptional level of care to you and yours.
We’d love to get to know you, provide the clearest vision you can imagine to help you live your life with the vision you deserve. Come see us!
