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Cataracts

Cataract is a condition whereby the lens in the eye is clouded and thereby affecting normal vision. The lens is the clear part of the eye that you use to focus light or an image on the retina. The retina here being light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye.

On a normal eye, light passes through the lens to the retina then the light is changed to nerve signals sent to the brain. Thus, the lens must be clear for the retina to receive any light. In the case of cataract though, the lens is clogged and thus the image sent becomes blurry. In many cases, cataracts are age-related and common in older people.

Cataracts can occur in either one or both eyes. At least, it cannot spread from one eye to another. Other than aging, a cataract can occur in other ways which include:

  • Secondary cataract – can occur after a surgery meant to resolve other eye problems in people with health problems such as diabetes, or use of steroids.

  • Traumatic cataract – as a result of an eye injury

  • Congenital cataract – whereby babies are born with cataracts or develop them in childhood and often occur in both eyes. They are usually too small to affect vision. In case they do, their lenses may need to be removed.

  • Radiation cataract – cataract occur with certain exposure to radiation.

Diagnosis Of Cataracts

We perform a comprehensive eye exam on our patients to establish the underlying cause of low vision. This way we can determine the appropriate treatment.

Our optometrist has years of experience with cataracts and low vision assuring you an accurate diagnosis. Specializing in low vision has provided the advantage of encountering numerous cases of cataracts which is beneficial to determine the best individual diagnosis for each patient.

A complete diagnosis and evaluation will entail:

  • The history of the patient – screening of the patient’s functional complaints, their quality of life and their ability to perform ADLs.

  • Visual acuity tests

  • Near acuities evaluation

  • Contrast sensitivity

  • Patients performance in visual tasks such as writing and reading

Symptoms Of Cataracts

  • Blurred, dim or clouded vision

  • Difficulty to see at night

  • Light and glare sensitivity

  • Fading or yellowing of colors

  • Double vision in a single eye

  • Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions

  • Seeing halos around lights

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Solutions For Persons With Low Vision Due To Cataracts

In the case that symptoms just began to appear, vision can be improved by getting new glasses, using strong bifocals, magnification, appropriate lighting and use of visual aids.

We offer Low Vision rehabilitation for our patients whether their vision is partially sighted or blind. The rehabilitative services are designed to match the needs of the patient and include mobility training, psychological counseling, low vision instruction, and training.

Visual aids one can use may include specialty reading glasses, hand-held & stand magnifiers, microscopes, telescopes (hand-held, clip-on and bioptic), CCTV systems and computers software.

In severe cataract cases, where cataracts threaten to impair your vision and life normalcy and independence, cataract surgery is an option.

Generally, for cases of cataracts, it is also vital for patients to develop healthy living conditions such as quitting smoking, managing health problems and having a healthy diet inclusive of fruits and vegetables.

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Low Vision Optometry

Low Vision Optometry

Low Vision of New York

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