Cataracts are the single most common cause of vision loss in people over 40 in the world. And while many here in Scottsdale face the effects of cataracts every day, our expert and knowledgeable doctors at Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons have over 40 years of experience with cataracts, cataract prevention, symptoms, and surgery. If you think that you might be facing some of the early signs and symptoms of cataracts, continue reading to discover your options.
Who Is Most Likely To Get Cataracts?
Just as cataracts can lead to blindness if not treated, cataracts are blind when it comes to whom they affect. A risk factor for cataracts could be as simple as increasing age. Diabetes is also a great risk factor, as is heavy alcohol consumption, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, certain medications, and a family history. Here in Scottsdale, the UV Index is usually high, and considering excessive exposure to sunlight can be a risk factor for cataracts later in life, it’s important to remember to wear those sunglasses, even in the winter.
Do I Have Cataracts?
The symptoms of cataracts begin slowly, and increase over time if not treated by one of our doctors at Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons. You might be in the early stages of cataracts if you have noticed cloudiness in your vision. Cloudiness first thing in the morning that clears up after a few minutes is completely natural and is the result of dried out tear secretions floating around the surface of your eye. This type of cloudiness is not necessarily an early symptom of cataracts. However, if the cloudiness persists for a more than a day, make an appointment with Dennis Kilpatrick, MD or William Kilpatrick, MD at Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons for a quick exam. Blurry or cloudy vision could be an early sign of many conditions, including simply allergies or a cold.
If you are noticing sensitivity to light and glare or are seeing ‘halos’ around lights, make an appointment for an eye exam. If you have difficult seeing at night and are weary of driving in the dark, make an appointment. If you have double vision, don’t wait to make an appointment.
Finally, if our team at Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons have made frequent changes to your eyeglass or contact lens prescription lately, we will probably want to look a bit farther into the possibility of cataracts.
Making An Eye Exam Appointment
If you notice any unusual changes in your vision at any time, it’s always best to be safe rather then sorry. Many times, our expert team of doctors at Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons will put off surgery until the cataract interferes significantly with your vision and lifestyle. In the meantime, we might recommend prescription glasses and sunglasses, magnifying lenses, and better lighting. Through physician visits, over time we will discuss the best options in terms of surgery.
If you think you might have cataracts, don’t wait to make an appointment. The sooner you can some in and see us, the quicker we can diagnose the cataracts and the better you will feel.
