How does an eye doctor check for cataracts?
When you realize your vision is changing, it can be a stressful time. Could it be something minor? What if it’s more serious? Maybe it’s cataracts or glaucoma? So many questions might flood your mind, but the most important step is to schedule an eye exam with an experienced doctor to really know what is going on. What happens at that eye exam and how does the doctor check for the various concerns that could be causing problems for you?
Cataracts are one of the more common diseases that occur in the eyes. This disease is well know due to humans not being the only ones that this can occur in. It is common to notice cataracts forming in older dogs eyes as well. How can you know for sure its cataracts? Time to schedule a consultation!
How does an eye doctor check for cataracts?
In an eye exam, there is something called a retinal exam. That’s where the doctor uses a bright light to look to the back of your eyes after they have been dilated. By dilating the eyes first, the doctor is able to get a better view to the interior of the eye to see what is going on.
Cataracts occur over time as we age. Everyone’s eyes have a clear lens that is right behind the pupil. This lens filters the light that comes in. It is made up of proteins and over time that protein can have build up that starts to cloud the lens. When too much protein clumps together, your eyesight can become cloudy, blurry, or even cause double vision.
This is a slow process that reduces the amount of light coming in all together. Often you won’t notice it until you realize you are squinting more, having a hard time reading small text, or even noticing a glare in the sun or at nighttime when other peoples headlights start to bother you while driving.
What may not be as surprising is that each eye can have a different progression of the cataracts, thus giving you different vision and/or symptoms per eye. A quick self test you can do is to cover one eye with you hand and then compare what you see with each eye. This often works best with your corrective lenses on to really see the difference.
By the age of 40, cataracts can begin to develop, although signs generally are not apparent. Most patients come in to us around the age of 60 realizing that their vision is not quite what it used to be. By the age of 80, most people will have some level of cataracts formed.
What are some early signs of cataracts?
Understanding what to look for with cataracts can help you catch it early to get diagnosed as soon as possible. Here are some common early signs of cataracts:
Frequent prescription changes: Each year when you have your exam your prescription typically should remain about the same. If you have started to notice over the years that things are getting worse each time you go, this can be a sign that the cataracts are forming.
Corrective lens just aren’t working like they used to: This is similar to the first point. When the lenses in your eye glasses or contacts seen to be less and less affective at getting that crisp clear vision, that protein may be building up causing cataracts. This is often experienced as blurry, foggy, cloudy, or even double vision.
Glare or halos from light: As mentioned above, if you are having problems with glare from the sun during the day or from headlights on cars at night this is a tell tale sign your lenses are getting cloudy behind your pupil. Bright light bulbs can also have a halo effect that just hurts to look at. Any light sensitivity should be mentioned to your Doctor.
Changes in Colors: Since this lens was once clear and is now forming a cloudiness, colors can appear to be more dim, yellow, or dull. The vibrancy can become diluted like constantly being in a cloudy day.
This is why it is so important to have your yearly eye exam even when you don’t think anything has changed. Early detection, as with anything, can have the greatest impact on corrective measures. There are a few different types of cataracts which can cause different experiences and require specific treatments.
What is cataract surgery?
When you decide it is time to have your cataract removed with cataract surgery, your Perich Eye surgeon will perform an operation to remove the lens of your eye that has become cloudy and replace it with a clear artificial lens. The new lens is called an intraocular lens. Before cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist will measure your eye to determine the correct focusing power for your new intraocular lens.
This is how cataract surgery works: Your surgeon will make tiny cuts with a laser or a blade near the edge of your cornea, which is the clear covering on the front of your eye. This will enable your surgeon to reach your lens with the cataract and remove it. Next, your surgeon will put a new lens in place.
In most cases, you will not need stitches to close the incisions. The so-called self-sealing incisions will close on their own in time. Your surgeon will place a shield over your eye to protect it during the healing process. Your eye doctor may ask you to stop taking some of your regular medications before surgery. Your doctor may also prescribe eye drops to take prior to your surgery to help prevent infection and reduce swelling caused by the procedure.
If you notice any of these symptoms, feel free to contact one of our six locations here. With over 35 years of experience, and over 65,000 cataract surgery cases performed by surgeons at the Perich Eye Center, we have expertise in the surgical correction of cataracts. Perich Eye experts work with a multi-disciplinary team of specialists who collaborate to provide exactly the care you need. This wouldn't be possible without our world-class facilities. We have performed thousands of cataract surgeries across Tampa and on patients from around the globe. We look forward to making you feel confident in your quest to clearer vision!
Perich Eye Centers
Open Monday thru Friday 8am-4pm
New Port Richey HQ
727-372-1311
2020 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL34655
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352-683-1160
5363 Spring Hill Drive
Spring Hill, FL 34606
Tampa
813-963-2020
11809 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.
Tampa, FL 33618
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352-397-2821
13940 US 441, Bldg 500/Suite 503
The Villages, FL 32159
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727-860-8060
2621 Windguard Circle Suite 101
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
Zephyrhills
813-788-2020
6905 Medical View Lane.
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
