Cataracts affect many people all around the world and although you’ve probably heard about it, most people don’t really know how it affects you and what you can do to fix it.
So, here’s an in-depth exploration of cataracts that you should definitely be aware of before considering cataract surgery in Los Angeles.
What are cataracts?
Cataracts are an eye disease where the natural lens becomes cloudy or opaque which causes a decrease in vision. At first, you may not notice that you have a cataract but over a period of time, it’ll most likely make your vision blurry, hazy, dull, and you may even find yourself having a hard time doing the activities you used to do. Normally, the natural lens of the eye focuses light onto the retina, the back of the eye, which allows us to see everything clearly without any distortion. Cataracts will cloud this lens which is what causes the blurred and distorted vision. Usually, both eyes are affected and advance at the same pace.
Who is most likely to be affected by cataracts?
Cataracts are most common in elderly people. According to recent studies, more than half of all Americans ages 80 and above either has cataracts or have had surgery to get rid of them. And now, it is the most common cause of vision loss to people ages 40 and above. It is also predicted to become the main cause of blindness in the world with an estimated increase to 30 million cases by 2020.
Why do cataracts occur?
It is still unknown as to why cataracts occur, however, the most common explanation is that it is due to the changes in protein structures within the natural lens causing the lens to become cloudy. Although cataracts can be present at birth or early childhood, it is very rare. Cataracts in young children are believed to result from a hereditary enzyme defect, genetic disease, or s systemic congenital infection. Other factors that lead to the development of cataracts at an earlier age could be excessive ultraviolet light exposure or a large amount of radiation, diabetes, smoking, or the use of certain medications such as oral, topical, or inhaled steroids.
Although cataracts seem terrifying, there is a way to fix the vision loss caused by this condition. Cataract surgery aims to reverse the damage cataracts create and bring back your clear vision. You can now be free from the difficulty of doing the activities you enjoy such as driving, reading, and watching films. You can even recognize faces without any hassle. Clear vision is essential for us to do several activities and with the help of cataract surgery in Los Angeles, you should be back to doing the things you love n no time!
