Cataract FAQs

Age can affect your eye health and vision, making you more susceptible to eye conditions and diseases like cataracts. Over time, cataracts can cloud your vision, making it difficult to partake in activities you enjoy. These FAQs from Lock Family Eye Care in West Des Moines, IA provide greater insight into this eye condition and what can be done to restore your sight.

a man with cataracts

What is a cataract?

Cataracts cloud over the natural lens of your eye. This cloudiness keeps light from reaching the retina of your eye to produce clear images. As a result, you may experience blurred or distorted vision.

What are some common symptoms of cataracts?

In their early stages, cataracts may have no effect whatsoever on your vision. As cataracts grow, however, you may experience:

  • Distorted or blurred vision
  • Loss of depth perception
  • Sensitivity to bright lights, such as car headlights
  • Loss of distant vision
  • Milky white or yellow pupils

Who’s at greater risk for developing cataracts?

Cataracts tend to develop slowly, over a period of years. That’s why they’re more common in people 65 years or older. Some people have mild cataracts while others develop a more severe condition that drastically alters their vision. 

How are cataracts diagnosed?

Our optometrist can detect if you have cataracts during an eye exam. If so, we will monitor your condition to see how it affects your vision. Mild cataracts generally cause no visual problems. If your condition worsens, however, we may recommend the cataracts be removed through surgery.

How are cataracts treated?

Most cataracts can be removed through cataract surgery to restore your vision. If your condition gets to the stage where cataracts are disrupting your lifestyle or making it difficult to perform daily tasks like reading or driving, your optometrist will probably recommend surgery. 

Is cataract surgery risky?

Although there are risks to any type of surgery, modern advances in the field of ophthalmology have made cataract surgery a fairly safe and effective means of treating cataracts and restoring your vision. Working with a qualified eye surgeon is key to the success of your procedure. Most people experience few to no side effects or complications from the surgery. At Lock Family Eye Care, we offer pre- and post-op care for cataract surgery to help you fully recover from the procedure.

See Our West Des Moines, IA Optometrist for Cataracts Diagnosis and Treatment

If you’re having trouble with your vision, contact Lock Family Eye Care in West Des Moines, IA at (515) 267-1312 to schedule an eye exam for diagnosis of cataracts or other eye conditions. We're here to meet all your eye care needs.   

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