Over time, the lens ages at the same rate as the person, and cataracts may appear.
Typically, after age 50, the lens of the eye ages, losing transparency and becoming opaque. This makes it difficult for light to reach the retina. However, there are other risk factors also associated with the development of cataracts, such as:
- Diabetes.
- The continued use of corticosteroid treatments.
- The existence of eye trauma or injuries.
- Hereditary genetic factors.
- Congenital cataracts in babies. They appear at birth or develop in childhood.
What symptoms might I experience if I have cataracts?
Symptoms you may experience if you suspect you have cataracts include blurred vision, photophobia in direct sunlight, and sometimes frequent changes in your eyeglass prescription. Depending on the type of cataract, the symptoms can vary.
At first, cataracts are very small and hardly affect your vision. You might notice that your vision becomes a little blurry, as if you were looking through a piece of glass. It's hazy and cloudy vision.
Driving at night can be a problem if you have cataracts. Due to the increased sensitivity to light caused by cataracts, the headlights of other cars will be more dazzling than usual, and colors won't be perceived the same way.
Can cataracts be cured?
Currently, the only possible and effective treatment for cataracts is surgery, and there are no medications or therapies that can prevent or delay their onset. Despite research efforts, there is no pharmacological treatment that prevents age-related cataracts. Therefore, cataract surgery is the solution and will significantly improve your quality of life. Want to know why?
At Clínica Nivaria, we offer the most advanced method for the definitive treatment of cataracts: phacoemulsification . This treatment uses ultrasound to dissolve and remove the damaged lens. It is then replaced with an artificial intraocular lens that is deployed inside the eye without the need to enlarge the initial opening. This lens performs the same function as the natural lens, lasts a lifetime, and does not lose transparency. The lenses we use at Clínica Nivaria are state-of-the-art.
Advantages offered by cataract surgery
- The surgery is outpatient; no hospital admission is required.
- The anesthesia is administered via drops.
- It is painless.
- The procedure lasts 10 minutes.
- Resistance to trauma.
- Visual recovery is immediate.
- There is no need to cover your eye.
- The procedure requires few post-operative visits.
- You will not need glasses, as this is a surgery with multifocal lenses.
If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned, it is advisable to schedule an eye exam. At our center, we have a large team of professionals specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cataracts. We consider it vital to maintain close contact with each patient who entrusts us with their eye health. Therefore, the pre- and post-surgical process is carried out by the same ophthalmologist who will perform the surgery, advising and supporting the patient throughout the entire treatment.
