Cataracts Specialist

What are cataracts?

Cataracts are the cloudy appearance of the normally clear lens in your eye that distorts your vision. You can get three different types of cataracts:

• Subcapsular cataracts: occur at the back of your lens
• Nuclear cataracts: form in the center of your lens
• Cortical cataracts: form as white, wedge-shaped opacities around the outside of your lens

Generally, cataracts start out small, and you may not even notice them until you begin to have difficulty seeing clearly.

What causes cataracts?

Cataracts may be the result of aging as the protein in your eyes clumps together and forms tiny clouds on an area of your lens. Over time, as this clump continues to grow, it affects your vision. Although researchers are not completely sure why cataracts form as you get older, some contributing factors that may accelerate their growth include:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Ultraviolet radiation from the sun
• Prolonged use of certain medications
• Hormone replacement therapies
• Nearsightedness (myopia)
• Previous eye injuries or surgeries

Family history also plays a part in whether you develop cataracts as some people are genetically predisposed to this condition.

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

Signs that you’re getting a cataract in your eye include:

• Double vision in one eye
• Fading or yellowing colors
• Halos around bright lights
• Clouded or dim vision
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Difficulty seeing clearly at night

As a cataract grows in size, it increasingly clouds your vision as it distorts more of the light that passes through your lens.

What does cataract surgery involve?

Cataract surgery used to be a complicated procedure, but today’s technological advances have made it a relatively simple, highly effective treatment. Dr. Whitson and the team at Whitson Vision use the latest premium intraocular lens (IOL) implants.

Intraocular lenses replace your cloudy lens with a new, clear artificial lens that becomes a permanent part of your eye. The majority of adults who get IOL implants for cataracts regain very good to excellent vision, often seeing better than they have in years.

During cataract surgery, Dr. Whitson numbs your eye completely so you can’t feel anything. He makes a small incision in your cornea and removes the proteins that are clouding your natural lens. Next, he inserts a new, clear IOL and positions it in your eye. You won’t be able to feel the IOL at all, but once you recover from surgery — often as your eye begins to heal within the first 24 hours — you’ll be able to see more clearly.

For state-of-the-art cataract treatment, call Whitson Vision or schedule an appointment online today.