Friday, March 29, 2024
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Cataracts

A cataract is the term used for when the natural lens in the eye grows cloudy enough to affect your vision. This clouding process is very common and is mostly related to aging. The National Eye Institute reports that by the age of 80 more than half of all Americans will have developed cataracts or had cataract surgery. 

There are other causes of cataracts other than aging. A secondary cataract is a one that has formed after surgery or from other eye problems such as glaucoma. Babies can be born with congenital cataracts that may or may not affect vision. Lastly cataracts can be formed by exposure to radiation, trauma, and steroid use. 

 CataractsCataract Lens

These cataracts all affect your vision in the same manner to create dimmed or blurry vision. When light enters the eye through your cornea, it is focused by your lens  onto the retina to produce a clean and sharp image. When that lens is clouded the light will bounce and scatter when passing through the lens. This scattered light does not hit the retina as uniformly as before and the result is blurred vision or dimmed vision.

During our exams, Dr. O'Connor will dilate your pupils to give her a clear view of the lens in your eye along with measuring your refractive error. This will help to determine if you have cataracts and the degree of their cloudiness. While Dr. O'Connor does not perform surgeries, she is committed to providing the best eye care for her patients. Working closely with many other ophthalmologists, Dr. O'Connor will be able to refer you to the proper surgeon for any of your needs.

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