Cataract FAQs
Cataracts are a common eye problem faced by seniors today. In their advanced stages, cataracts can greatly hinder your vision. These FAQs from Wally Kojima and Associates in Kailua-Kona provide greater insight into the causes, symptoms, and treatment of this eye condition.
What are cataracts?
Cataracts cloud or discolor the lens of your eye causing you to see distorted images. Cataracts develop slowly over the years, making seniors more susceptible to this condition. Age is one of the main causes of cataracts due to degenerative changes in the lens of your eye.
What are some signs I may have cataracts?
Common cataract symptoms include blurred or dimmed vision, the appearance of halos around lights, and double vision. You may have trouble reading or driving at night due to glare of headlights. You may need frequent changes in your prescription to keep up with gradual vision loss. For an accurate diagnosis of cataracts, see our Kailua-Kona, HI optometrist. We can detect cataracts during a comprehensive eye exam.
How are cataracts treated?
In the early stages, cataracts often cause no problems to your sight. Our optometrist will monitor your condition carefully to see how it develops. Early on, we may recommend prescription eyewear to tackle problems with minor vision loss. If your cataracts reach the stage where they’re severely impacting your vision, we’ll recommend cataract treatment in the form of surgery to restore your sight.
When should cataract surgery be performed?
Cataract surgery is generally recommended when your vision becomes so blurred you cannot perform daily tasks. After testing your visual clarity and eye health, our optometrist will advise you when it would be best to have this procedure.
Is cataract surgery risky?
Although there’s risk with any type of surgery, under most circumstances, cataract surgery is a safe, painless, routine procedure performed by an eye surgeon on an out-patient basis. Most people fully recover from cataract surgery with no side effects or complications.
If you have cataracts in both eyes, one eye will be done at a time. Your surgeon will wait until the first eye has healed before performing surgery on the second eye. That way you will always have vision. Most people notice a marked improvement in their sight within days of their cataract treatment.
See Our Optometrist in Kailua-Kona, HI for Diagnosis of Cataracts
To schedule a consultation for diagnosis of cataracts, contact Wally Kojima and Associates in Kailua-Kona, HI at (808) 331-8081. For your convenience, we offer pre- and post-op care for cataract surgery.