Cataracts

Maryland Eye Care Center

Ophthalmologists & Optometrists located in Silver Spring, MD & Hyattsville, MD

Cataracts are a common cause of deteriorating vision in older age, but under the care of the expert team of optometrists at Maryland Eye Care Center, you needn’t lose your sight. If you live in Silver Spring, Downtown Silver Spring, or Hyattsville, Maryland, turn to the experienced team at Maryland Eye Care Center to learn more about cataract treatments. Call the office today or book an appointment online.

301-431-0431

Cataracts Q & A

CATARACT SURGERY TO RESTORE YOUR SIGHT

Cataracts develop slowly over time and can affect your ability to see clearly. Whether you have had cataracts for a long time, or if you’re just starting to experience the symptoms, we are here to help.

Please book an appointment with us today, so we can help you manage and mitigate your symptoms. We treat cataracts in Downtown Silver Spring, Silver Spring, and Hyattsville.

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WHAT ARE CATARACTS?

Cataracts are a common eye condition that affects the crystalline lens of your eye. As you age, your crystalline lens slowly becomes rigid and cloudy. They are so common that over 25 million Americans have some degree of cataracts.

Cataract Symptoms

When you have cataracts, you may experience:

Poor night vision.
Clouded, blurry, or dim vision.
Light and glare sensitivity.
Possible double vision.
Colors fading or yellowing.
Halos around sources of light.
Difficulty reading.

CATARACT TREATMENTS

For mild to moderate cases of cataracts, your eye doctor may recommend glasses or contacts to help manage your symptoms. However, depending on your symptoms, the severity of your cataracts, and their impact on your daily activities, you could be a candidate for cataract surgery.

What Is Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is an operation performed by your ophthalmologist to remove your cataractous lens.

The surgery is quite quick, with most operations taking under 30 minutes to complete. In most cases you will be awake for the procedure. Your eye doctor will give your eyes some numbing drops to help keep you comfortable. Your eyes will be held open using a lid speculum to keep you from blinking.

During the operation, an ophthalmologist will make a small incision in the eye, then use ultrasound technology to break up the natural crystalline lens. It is extracted using a phacoemulsifier and an artificial intraocular lens with your desired prescription replaces the crystalline lens, restoring your vision.

Post-Op Care

Following the surgery, your eye care team will book a series of follow-up appointments to make sure your eyes are healing correctly. You will not be able to drive immediately after the surgery, so please make sure you have made transportation plans.

Some common side effects of the healing process you may experience during the healing process can include dry eyes, irritation, and light sensitivity. If you believe these effects are lasting longer than expected, or are causing your serious discomfort, contact your eye care team immediately.

CONTACT US TODAY

If you have cataracts, please give our team a call. We can schedule you for cataract surgery to restore your vision.

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What is a cataract?

A cataract is a vision problem that develops in the clear lens of your eye, causing it to become cloudy or opaque.

Cataracts most often affect people over 55, but they can sometimes develop in babies and young children. The clouding effect is due to changes in the proteins and fibers that make up the lens.

The lens of your eye is behind the iris, the colored central circle, and its role is to focus light on the retina. If light focuses accurately, the retina sends your brain a clear image of what you’re looking at.

If a cataract develops and clouds the lens, it can’t focus the incoming light, so the images your retina sends to your brain become blurry.

What are the symptoms of a cataract?

Cataracts cause symptoms such as:

Blurred or hazy vision
Reduction of color intensity
Increased sensitivity to glaring light, such as car headlights
Problems seeing at night

Cataracts typically develop at a slow rate, so you may not realize at first that there’s a problem. Over time, the symptoms worsen, and your vision deteriorates more noticeably.

What causes a cataract?

Cataracts are most often caused by changes in the lens that happen as part of the aging process, but other factors can contribute to the development of cataracts, such as:

Having diabetes
Taking corticosteroid medication
Taking phenothiazine-related medications
Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun
Being a smoker
Excessive alcohol consumption

Eating a diet that doesn’t provide enough antioxidants may also increase your risk of developing cataracts.

How are cataracts diagnosed and treated?

Your optometrist at Maryland Eye Care Center can diagnose cataracts by carrying out a thorough eye exam. Patients whose vision is only mildly impaired may manage perfectly well with an up-to-date prescription for glasses or contact lenses.

However, if cataracts cause vision issues that are hindering your ability to lead a normal life, surgery is the best option.

Surgery for cataracts involves removing your lens and replacing it with an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL).

Cataract surgery is known to be one of the safest operations you can have, with high success rates, meaning you should regain full clarity of vision after the procedure.

If you have any of the symptoms of cataracts or are concerned about your eye health, call Maryland Eye Care Center today, or book an appointment online.

"We offer eye exams and treatment for cataracts. Call us to book your appointment today."