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Knowing When It’s Time for Cataract Surgery
The decision to have surgery is always an important one and it should be made with as much information and care as possible. At Eye Michigan, we educate our patients on their conditions and treatment options, so that they are knowledgeable and comfortable with the course of action. In this short article, we look specifically at cataract surgery and hope to answer some of your questions. Read on to learn more.
What are cataracts?
First, it helps to give a brief synopsis of what’s actually happening in the eye when cataracts are present. Essentially, a cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye (the lens is normally clear). A progressively-opaque eye lens causes blurred and otherwise compromised vision. The cause of cataracts is dependent on each person, but for the most part, they occur as a result of injury, aging, or even certain genetic conditions and develop gradually over time.
The question of cataract surgery.
Surgery is a safe and effective option for many patients but is usually not recommended until the cataracts interfere with normal life activities. The condition may never progress to a point of being a real problem in some patient’s lifetime, so the decision of surgery is sometimes avoided altogether. Cataracts generally do not harm the rest of the eye, and waiting to make the decision of surgery is not an issue to recover vision for most patients. The choice of whether you should have surgery will depend on a comprehensive eye exam and a discussion with you and your Eye Michigan doctor. Doctors Grosinger, Spigelman, and Grey look at each patient individually to advise the best possible option(s) and treatment plan.
During cataract surgery, the clouded lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial clear lens which then becomes a permanent part of your eye. For most people with healthy and normal eyes, the results are very favorable. Yet, for some individuals who may have other preexisting eye or other medical conditions, artificial lenses are not an option. This does not exclude you from benefiting from cataract surgery. Contact lenses or corrective glasses may also be used to restore vision once the cataract is removed. Your doctor will take into account your specific health conditions to ensure a safe and effective outcome. Call Eye Michigan for more information.
Interesting Eye Facts
- You blink on average 12 times every minute with the average blink persisting for about 1/10th of a second.
- Babies do not produce tears until around 4-13 weeks old.
- The cell shapes in your eyes have different roles. Rod-shaped cells permit you to see shapes and cone-shaped cells allow you to see color.
- Your eyes are weigh about 0.25 ounce.
- The muscles that control your eyes are the most active muscles in your body.
- Seeing is complex and requires approximately half of your brain to collaborate.
- 80% of vision problems worldwide can be prevented and many others can be treated and corrected.
Thank You for the Kind Words
Martha, we so appreciate you taking the time to write about your experience with Dr. Spigelman and our staff. Our goal at Eye Michigan is to use our knowledge, expertise and experience to help each and everyone of our patients reach the best possible outcome. Thank you so much for sharing.
Treating Glaucoma
Glaucoma currently has no known cure but can be treated to make daily life more manageable.
It is important to note that “glaucoma” does not refer to just one condition but actually to a collection of conditions that cause vision loss over time. Glaucoma is primarily caused by damage to the optic nerve; the nerve that connects the eye to the brain. The damage is typically the result of high eye pressure. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type and it results in gradual vision loss. However, there are rarer types of glaucoma such as angle-closure glaucoma where medical treatment must be sought immediately.
Glaucoma can be treated with several approaches. There is a collection of prescription drugs that can be administered into the eye as beta-blocking eye drops. The particular drug that may work for your condition will depend on your personal health history, allergies, and current state of your eyes. Sometimes, it is beneficial to use more than one type of these drugs in combination, customizing them so that they are most effective for your particular case. Our doctors take many factors into account when prescribing the right medication for you.
In addition to drops and prescriptions, you may be a good candidate for laser surgery or trabeculoplasty. There are several types of these surgeries including LASIK and the choice will again depend on your particular condition. The reason and main function to perform surgery is to reduce the pressure in the eye, so that damage on the optic nerve is lessened and vision loss is reduced or restored to some degree. Usually, medication is still needed post-surgery to control this pressure, yet the amounts can be significantly lowered and quality of life improved. There is a slightly increased risk in developing cataracts once glaucoma surgery is performed but the benefits of alleviating glaucoma far outweighs the risk. Eye Michigan is committed to providing the most current information for our patients to make the best plan of action for each individual’s situation.
Does LASIK Vision Correction Work?
No! You will not feel pain during LASIK eye surgery. Before beginning, the surgeon will administer a dose of anesthetic eye drops to ensure a comfortable, pain-free procedure. Furthermore, if you need, the surgeon can provide a medication to alleviate any anxiety you may have about the short surgery. Afterward, pain medication can be prescribed depending on your comfort with the recovery process. Most LASIK patients report little to no discomfort in the days following surgery. Please contact us. We can help alleviate these concerns.
5 Tips to Sustain Eye Health
- Eat properly; obesity and diabetes often effects eyesight
- Sleep well and rest your eyes so they can repair and recover
- Avoid environmental pollutants and debris from entering your eyes
- Wear sunglasses that block 100% of both UVA and UVB rays
- Take eye vitamins which have been clinically proven to decrease vision loss for those suffering with Macular Degeneration
Happy Valentine’s Weekend
Eye Michigan wishes you a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Protect Your Eyes All Year Round
Sunglasses provide your eyes protection from harmful UV rays in all seasons. UV light can harm your retina and cause cataracts. When purchasing sunglasses it is imperative that they block 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. It is also important that they fit your face properly, not just for comfort, but so that UV rays do not slip through the open spaces and reach your eyes.
Common Eye Myth Debunked
“I only need to make an appointment with an eye doctor if I need glasses or if I have a problem with my eyes.”
You should have annual exams with your eye doctor. If you have certain diseases or a family history, you may need to make an appointment more often. Your eyes serve as windows and often diseases are first discovered by your eye doctor.
Vision changes are often gradual. Your eyes are a powerful tool and often work together to compensate for each other if there is a problem. You may not be aware of your loss of vision until you look through a proper lens. We see many eye opening moments when corrected lenses or LASIK surgery is performed. You forget what clear vision looks like.
There are many diseases such as Glaucoma that have no warning signs. According to the American Optometric Association, Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. By visiting your eye doctor regularly, an early treatment plan can be implemented.
Advocate for yourself and your family members and see your eye doctor regularly for an exam.