Signs You'Re A Good Candidate For Cataract Surgery

A cataract causes eye lens clouding due to protein build-up in the lens. This cloudiness causes blurry vision, which can be strenuous. Cataracts usually affect older adults, and surgery is the primary treatment for them. However, not all patients qualify for eye cataract surgery. So, what shows that you're a good candidate for the surgery? Here are the indicators.

You Exhibit Cataract Symptoms

The signs of a cataract include:

  • Cloudy vision. Cataracts may cause dim or cloudy vision, causing you to blink or frequently squint to improve focus.
  • Double vision. The affected eye may see multiple images instead of a single image.
  • Sensitivity to light. Light may scatter when light hits the cloudy lens, resulting in glares or reflections that cause eye pain.
  • Halos. These appear as ring formations on fixed lighting and are noticeable at night.
  • Color vision alteration. Mature cataracts are yellowish and may alter your colored vision. For instance, all the images you see may be yellowish.

If you're experiencing these symptoms, eye cataract surgery may be an option. Nonetheless, your optometrist will advise you accordingly after examining your cataract's severity.

Your Cataract Is Advanced

Surgical treatment may not be their first option when your optometrist confirms that you have a cataract. In such cases, your doctor may advise you to wear contact lenses or eyeglasses to boost your vision. Nevertheless, advanced cataracts cause further vision deterioration, potentially affecting daily life.

For instance, reading or driving long distances may become more challenging or impossible. Eye cataract surgery may be necessary to improve your vision when this happens. Therefore, you qualify for cataract surgery if the cataract is at an advanced stage.

You're Healthy

Eye cataract surgery is a safe outpatient procedure that takes a short time. However, since the process is invasive, it comes with risks. For instance, you may experience pain, swelling, or infection post-surgery. You may also react to anesthesia, causing complications. Your doctors must perform a full-body health check and discuss your health history to determine whether your body is fit for surgery.

If you suffer from conditions such as diabetes, you may experience these complications. Besides, diabetes may slow down the healing process. However, if the disease is under control, you may be eligible for surgical treatment. Overall, you can only undergo eye cataract surgery after your surgeon establishes that you're healthy.

If you have cataract symptoms or an advanced cataract and you're healthy, these are signs that you're a good candidate for eye cataract surgery. Consider contacting an eye cataract service—such as Sabates Eye Centers—when you see these signs.


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