A cataract is the natural lens in the eye that becomes cloudy with age. Cataracts have the potential to seriously impair your vision and can even lead to blindness. Keep these answers to common cataract surgery questions in mind in order to protect your eye health. Our cataract surgeons in Jacksonville, FL are here to help you.
Cataract Causes
Cataracts form when proteins build up in the natural lens making it cloudy. As cataracts progress, your risk of vision problems increases. Cataracts can develop due to your eyes aging or if you have had eye damage or eye surgery. Your risk of getting cataracts is higher when you smoke, have diabetes, are obese, or have high blood pressure.
Cataract Symptoms
Cataracts can be hard to detect because they usually grow slowly over time. Common cataract symptoms include blurry vision, trouble seeing in dim lighting, increased sensitivity to glare, and double vision in the affected eye. You might also notice halos around lights and need to have your corrective lens prescription updated more often. As cataracts progress, they can have a greater impact on your vision, resulting in more impaired vision and other symptoms, so it’s important to address right when you start noticing issues.
Cataract Treatments
If you have mild cataracts, you might not need treatment other than taking steps to correct your vision. This might include staying up-to-date on lens prescriptions and using brighter lights for reading. You might also need a magnifying glass to read fine print.
If you have cataracts that are affecting your daily activities, you might benefit from having cataract surgery in Jacksonville FL. This involves taking out the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens. Cataract surgery is a common procedure that can help improve your vision and prevent impairment from worsening.
Cost of Cataract Surgery With/Without Insurance
The cost of cataract surgery can vary widely depending on whether or not you have insurance. This procedure is generally covered by insurance. Our eye specialists accept Medicare and many private insurance plans. This can help keep the cost of having cataract surgery down, so that you can see as clearly as possible.
While the risk of getting cataracts goes up as you get older, there are many treatment options available that work to maintain your quality of life. At Florida Eye Specialists, our ophthalmologists can evaluate your eyes and discuss treatment options, such as cataract surgery. Please contact us today to request an appointment for your annual eye exam with Florida Eye Specialists at one of our eight locations.