Is Blindness from Cataracts Permanent?

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The term blindness is usually thought of as permanent, but that isn’t always the case. Blindness from cataracts can be reversed by having cataract surgery.

This is possible thanks to having the natural lens removed and an artificial lens put in its place. Cataracts that lead to blindness are harder to remove because they are so dense.

Optimal results from cataract surgery are achieved before a cataract causes low vision or severe vision loss.

The prevalence and importance of getting treatment for cataracts are usually underestimated. Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness in the world.  More than 20 million Americans who are 40 and older have cataracts.

Cataracts are also sometimes found in younger adults and even newborns. The causes of cataracts can range from previous eye trauma to health issues like diabetes, lifestyle choices like smoking, to genetic factors. For this reason, anyone at any age can be affected by this condition.

Detecting Cataracts

Your eye doctor will check for cataracts during your annual eye exam. But if you’re experiencing these symptoms, see your eye doctor at VisionPoint Eye Center for a dilated eye exam as soon as possible.

  • Poor night vision
  • Seeing “halos” around lights
  • Need for brighter light for reading
  • Faded colors
  • Sensitivity to light and glare
  • Clouded, blurred, or dim vision
  • Frequent prescription changes

These are some of the common symptoms of cataracts and can result in blindness if left untreated. The symptoms may appear if your once-clear lens becomes cloudy.

Having Cataracts and Cataract Surgery

A cloudy lens won’t allow adequate light to reach the retina. Normally, your eyes contain proteins arranged in a particular pattern that enables your eyesight to remain clear. But when the proteins clump up, you experience dull, cloudy, or blurry vision.

If cataracts have already affected your vision, it’s best to have your eyes checked as soon as possible.  As time goes on, the clouding expands, resulting in more vision loss. This makes the cataract harder to remove. When the condition is not addressed, cataracts lead to progressive vision loss, causing legal blindness, and eventually total blindness.

During cataract surgery, the surgeon removes the cloudy lens, and an artificial one is then put in its place. Cataract surgery is a safe procedure with extremely high success rates.

Also, many patients report little to no discomfort after the procedure. The artificial lens replaces the focusing power of your eye’s natural lens.

If you choose multifocal lenses, you can reduce your dependence on prescription glasses or contacts after surgery.

Preventing Blindness

If you have a cataract and are struggling with low vision or even blindness, see your eye doctor at VisionPoint Eye Center for a dilated eye exam. Our experienced surgeons have helped thousands of eye patients and can also help you achieve improved vision with cataract surgery.

Request an appointment with one of the ophthalmologists at VisionPoint Eye Center in Bloomington, IL today and experience world-class eye care. Don’t wait any longer if cataracts have stolen your vision!

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