Changes in your vision are a natural part of the aging process. As many people get older, they find they need more light to read or they need to increase the text size on their phone. However, for over 2.4 million Americans, this change in vision is due to the development of a cataract.
As light enters the eye, the eye’s natural lens bends the light to hit the retina allowing us to see the world around us. Your eye’s lens is mostly made up of water and protein. When the lens is healthy, it is clear. When the lens becomes irregular or cloudy, your vision will become impaired. There are several reasons why this may occur.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is caused by an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens. This is a common vision problem that makes objects look blurry or distorted either close up or far away. This condition is very common and can be corrected through refractive surgery, such as LASIK, or with prescription eye glasses or contacts. Astigmatism can develop at any age, as well as
after eye disease, injury, or trauma.
Common signs of astigmatism:
- Blurry or distorted vision
- Eyestrain
- Headaches due to eye strain
- Squinting to see clearly
Presbyopia
The eye’s natural lens is soft and can easily bend, allowing objects to be seen clearly both far away and up close. As the eye’s lens begins to age, it becomes more rigid and can no longer adjust easily from focusing at a distance to near objects. As a result, it becomes harder to see or read things close up. This is known as Presbyopia. Presbyopia is a natural part of the aging process and usually effects adults in their 40s. This condition can be treated with prescription eye glasses, contact lenses, or monovision LASIK.
Common signs of presbyopia:
- Blurred vision at normal reading distance
- Need to hold reading material at arm’s length to be able to clearly see the writing
- Eyestrain after reading
Cataract
A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. This is caused by a build-up of protein on the lens. As the cataract develops, the lens becomes more and more cloudy. When you have a cataract, things appear dirty, hazy, or blurry. It’s almost like looking through a very dirty car windshield. If left untreated, a cataract can lead to total loss of vision.
Common signs of a cataract:
- Noticing frequent changes in your vision and feeling like you need a stronger glasses’ prescription
- Colors seem dull, faded, or not as bright; or has a yellow tint
- Cloudy, fuzzy, or foggy vision
- Difficulty seeing at night, especially when driving
- Bothersome glare around objects and haloes around lights
The only way to remove a cataract is through surgery. The eye surgeons at Louisiana Eye & Laser perform several types of cataract surgery, including laser cataract surgery. They will recommend the best type of surgery for your lifestyle.
Laser cataract surgery utilizes similar technology to what is used in LASIK. Your Alexandria, Louisiana Eye & Laser cataract surgeon will take a 3D image of your eye, which helps your doctor develop a more precise surgical plan. This type of cataract surgery leads to better and more precise outcomes, as well as less discomfort and a faster recovery time.
Schedule an Eye Exam Today
If you have noticed changes in your vision and it has been over one year since your last eye exam, schedule an appointment today. With 14 locations throughout Louisiana, you can find a location close to home. We even offer Saturday appointments at our Alexandria, Ville Platte, and Pineville locations.
