Cataracts are a common eye condition that affects millions of people across the world. In fact, it is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 40, affecting approximately 25 million Americans. Trusted optical care providers Alderwood Optical & Canyon Park Vision Clinic discuss the types of cataracts and how this condition is diagnosed.
What Is a Cataract?
A cataract refers to the cloudy area of the eye’s lens. This cloudiness can cause blurred vision and other vision problems, such as difficulty seeing at night or increased sensitivity to light. Risk factors include lifestyle habits (e.g. smoking and drinking alcohol), ultraviolet radiation exposure, long-term use of certain medications, and underlying conditions like diabetes.
Types of Cataracts
Age-related cataracts are the most common type of cataract. They naturally occur as people age, usually starting around the age of 40. Aging, however, is not the only reason for cataracts. Here’s a look at some of the other types:
- Pediatric cataracts. Children can also get cataracts. They may incur them upon birth or develop them later in their childhood years. While rare, they can happen because of genetics — it runs in the family — or due to serious issues during pregnancy.
- Radiation cataracts. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation can also lead to cataracts, which can take up to 10 years or more to develop after exposure.
- Traumatic cataracts. This type of cataract occurs following a serious injury to the eye that affected the lens. It can either form right after the injury or may develop years later.
- Secondary cataracts. Also known as after-cataracts, it is an eye condition that happens after cataract surgery. It develops in two out of five people who have had the procedure. Fortunately, treating it is minimally invasive, with the restoration of vision happening in a few days.
Diagnosis of Cataracts
Your eye doctor conducts a comprehensive eye examination to assess overall vision health. More specifically, they will check for any significant clouding on the lens and determine if it is affecting the patient’s level of vision.
Apart from having you read the eye chart, they may also measure your eyes’ pressure via tonometry. In this test, the cornea is flattened using a painless puff of air. Your doctor will also apply drops to dilate your eyes’ pupils so they can check the back part, including the retina and the optic nerve. The examination may also include glare sensitivity and color perception tests.
Alderwood Optical & Canyon Park Vision Clinic offers pre-surgery evaluation and post-operative care for cataract patients. Our eye doctor will carefully examine your eyes’ lenses for signs of cataract formation. Once it is determined that the clouding is disrupting your vision, they will refer you to a trusted and respected surgeon for surgery, which is the only known cure for this condition. Expect us to guide you throughout the recovery process following the procedure.
Call (425) 771-8472 (Lynwood) or (425) 485-0430 (Bothell). You may also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.