At Dupage Eye Associates, our team has the experience and skills necessary to treat cataracts and restore your clear vision.
Cataracts are a clouding of your eye's natural lens. This clouding is a result of proteins in your lens breaking down and clumping together. As the proteins clump together, they cloud your vision and interfere with light reaching your retina. The retina is at the back of your eye. Blocked and scattered light reaching your retina is what interferes with your vision. That is why cataracts make it harder and harder for you to see as they develop.
Cataracts are very prevalent. They can take decades to develop. Most adults over the age of 60 have them to some degree and don't even know it. Luckily, this means they are simple to treat by having cataract surgery.
As cataracts develop, they cloud your vision more and more. Many people with cataracts complain of having foggy and distorted vision. A classic sign of having cataracts is feeling like you are looking through a dirty window all the time. As time passes, the cloudiness caused by cataracts can interfere with your everyday life. Activities like reading, cleaning, sewing, and cooking can become difficult. Most cataract surgeons will recommend cataract surgery when you can no longer complete everyday tasks. Cataracts can create serious vision problems when driving at night. They make it harder to drive at night because you become more sensitive to light. You may also notice halos and glare around lights. Headlights and streetlights can become very disorienting while driving.
Cataracts develop slowly over a period of years. You will likely have cataracts before you are aware of it. Eventually, though, your eyesight will likely become so cloudy you will realize that something is wrong with your eyes. Until your vision becomes impaired, the only way to know if you have cataracts is regularly seeing your eye doctor.
The only way to treat cataracts is by having cataract surgery. It's the most common medical procedure performed in the United States, making it very safe and effective.
During cataract surgery, your surgeon will remove your natural lens. They will replace your old lenses with new artificial lenses called intraocular lenses or IOLs.
IOLs come in a wide range of varieties and styles. Your eye doctor can help you choose an IOL that fits your lifestyle. Speak with your eye doctor for more details about cataract surgery and the options available to you.
When your cataract (cloudy human lens) is removed, it is alike to a camera taking a photograph without a lens; the photo would be blurry. Therefore, anyone undergoing cataract extraction receives a new, man-made lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL), to replace their natural lens.
IOLs are permanent and maintenance free. You cannot feel them, you will never have to clean them, and unlike your natural lens, they stay clear indefinitely. The size, shape, design, material and prescription will be chosen by your doctor especially for you.
After a thorough examination and evaluation, you will be presented various options of IOLs. These IOLs are specially designed for you based upon your doctor’s recommendation and your lifestyle. An IOL counselor will assist you with a detailed explanation of your lens options and answer any questions that you may have.
Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective vision correction surgeries available. IOL implantation makes it possible for those with cataracts and age-related eye problems to enjoy the best vision of their lives. Please contact Dupage Eye Associates today if you’d like to determine your candidacy for cataract surgery with intraocular lenses. Our doctor will evaluate your eyes to ascertain which one of the many intraocular lenses available may be right for you.
Most adults will develop cataracts. Other causes of cataracts can include injuries, certain medications, or diseases like diabetes.
Certain lifestyle factors also contribute to the development of cataracts. Smokers and steroid users have a higher risk of getting cataracts than other people. Schedule a cataract screening with Dupage Eye Associates in Downer's Grove to find out if you could have cataracts. We will help you navigate the foggy path forward towards getting your cataracts removed.
