Cataracts have proven to be a common issue. A look at the statistics around the eye issue gives a perspective about what may need dealing with as a person ages. As reported by the Center for Disease Control here are the facts around American eyes:
- An estimation of 11 million Americans starting at age 12 need some refractive correction
- 3.3 million Americans who are 40 years and above have been identified as legally blind or have low vision
- One of the leading causes of blindness or low vision lists as cataracts
Aging and cataracts
The clouding of the lens of the eye by 80 years of age affects American eyesight more than 50 percent of that population. Starting at the age of 40 years, the risk of acquiring cataracts increases each decade.
As reported by Prevent Blindness, nearly 95 percent of cataracts formed after the age of 40 lists as age-related. Cataracts begin one of three ways:
- At birth –born with the condition either an infection or inflammation process happened during the pregnancy and some studies show that there may be a genetic component
- Injury—Intense heat, chemicals, or a hard blow to the eye area can cause cloudiness in the lens
- By product-eye disease, an eye infection after birth, body disease such as diabetes or metabolic issues, and even some medications can cloud the lens
Gradual or rapid
Whether gradual or rapid development of cataracts the symptoms list nearly the same. The vision changes and blurs.
Some experience a cloud to look through. Lights feel like glare and adjusting the light does not help.
Halos form around lights such as headlights of vehicles. Rest assured surgeries and products exist that not only prevent blindness but have procedures that optimize visual performance.
Solutions
A phacoemulsification surgery, cataract removal and then an implant with an intraocular lens (IOL) has restored many patient’s vision. Trifocal in IOL design has increased visual performances in the near, intermediate and distance areas.
PanOptix since 2016 has been one of the leading intraocular lenses to do that. Created ultraviolet, blue, and hydrophobic light-filtering copolymer material made of acrylate/methacrylate, the design takes light energy and distributes it at three focal points for large and small pupil conditions.
A distinctive feature of the PanOptix intraocular lens design a study showed it achieved the most comfortable and suitable intermediate distance for most patients when compared to other options for cataract surgery. For patients, whose lifestyle requires optimal vision on all distances as well as minimal eyeglass correction, the PanOptix meets that goal.
Conclusion
A cataract in most cases is not the end of the vision. It means a transition to eyeglasses, contacts, and possible surgical options such as replacing a lens.
Laser eye surgery takes a doctor with specialized knowledge, and those at the Houston Lasik Clinic have that knowledge and update often. If PanOptix does not fit well with a patient’s lifestyle, the clinic has expertise in many LASIK and other surgeries.
It all begins with chat either by phone or in person in Houston.
Houston Lasik leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston Lasik, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478
Via
https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/basics/ced/index.html
