When Shakespeare’s King Lear calls on “cataracts” to spout during his “blow winds, and crack your cheeks!” speech, he’s not asking for cloudy vision.  In Shakespeare’s day, a “cataract” also means a huge waterfall.  This is fitting because the clouds of white foam arising from a waterfall are metaphorically like the cloudy vision caused by a cataract.  Roughly half of everyone who lives to age 80 will eventually get cataracts in one or both eyes.

What exactly is a cataract?  To answer that question, let’s begin by looking at the eye in more detail.  A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens.  The lens of the eye is right behind the pupil.  Light enters the eye through the pupil.  As the picture shows, the lens focuses light onto the retina, which is a layer of light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye.

The lens must be clear to focus light onto the retina.  If the lens has become cloudy with a cataract the image that is seen will be blurry.  People say that having a cataract is like looking through a dirt car windshield.

How Do Cataracts Form

The eye’s lens is composed of two substances: the first is water and the second is protein.  As we age some of the protein that constitutes the eye’s lens, along with water, can clump together, causing the clouding of the lens.  Although most cataracts are simply a product of aging there are other causes of cataracts, too.

Diabetics can develop cataracts and so can steroid users.  Cataracts can develop after an eye injury sometimes years later.  They can often develop after exposure to radiation.  Babies can sometimes be born with cataracts as well.  Other factors that could cause cataracts include smoking and drinking.  Here are the symptoms of cataracts, in case you think you are developing one.

• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Faded colors
• Headlight, lamps, or sunlight glare
• Halos surrounding lights
• Double visions
• Multiple images in one eye

Frequent changes in your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses could also be a sign of cataracts.  If you notice any of these symptoms, or if you are age 60 or older, ask your eye doctor to check your eyes for cataracts, as well as for age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, or any other vision issues during your next eye exam.

What To Do When You Have Cataracts

If you do have a cataract and it is interfering with your normal everyday activities, such as driving, reading, or watching TV, your cloudy lens can be removed in surgery and replaced with a clear artificial lens.  If you need cataract surgery in both eyes, usually the doctor will do each eye a month or two apart.

However, surgery should be avoided unless it’s absolutely necessary for your vision or if a cataract interferes with getting another eye issue treated, such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.  Nevertheless cataract removal is one of the most common operations performed in the United States and about 90% of people who have cataracts removed have improved vision.

Prevention

Now if you don’t have cataracts and you want to forestall getting them, there are some precautions you can take, according to research done by staffers of the Mayo Clinic.  Get regular eye exams, at least once every two years or more frequently if you notice changes in your vision quit smoking and drinking alcohol. Wear sunglasses and clear glasses with 100% Ultraviolet (UV) protection.  Maintain a healthy weight and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Quit smoking, decrease or eliminate drinking alcohol, decrease or eliminate eating meat, increase eating fruits and vegetables and you might live long enough to have your first cataract as a 95^th birthday present – among other goodies.

Many people who need cataract surgery will get a temporary pair of eyeglasses to use that corrects the vision of both eyes, the eye that has the cataract and the eye that does not.  Then when they have had the cataract surgery in both eyes they get a new pair of glasses.

If you are looking to reduce or even get rid of your eye glasses and/or contacts let us at Rohr Eye & Laser Center help you! We offer several types of LASIK eye surgery including PRK, AK, CK, Cataracts surgery and more. We perform all these eye laser treatments with state of the art equipment. We are a leader in laser vision correction, and our goal is to help you achieve superior vision. Contact us today or view our website http://www.michiganlasik.com/  to schedule an appointment.

A Cataract is a medical condition that slowly clouds the eyes lens, which causes blurred vision. This can ether severely reduce your vision or just cause some blurriness. An example would be looking through a fogged up windshield. This can make it hard to do daily activities like driving, playing sports and reading. Most of the time cataracts will develop slowly and you won’t notice it right away. As time goes on you might notice your vision getting weaker/blurry. You might even get some cheater glasses (readers) and this will help for a little bit. But, again time will not be on your side with cataracts.

Once your vision affects daily life, it might be time to go see an eye doctor. The good news is cataracts can be treated by a medical professional! The bad news is it won’t go away on its own and you will need surgery. This is generally a safe and effective procedure.

Cataract surgery consists of removing the clouded cataract and replacing it with a clear lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL). The IOL stays permanently in your eye. About 95% of all patients get an IOL, the other 5% will need to wear glasses or contacts. Overall this is a short and painless procedure that usually takes around an hour. You do not need to stay at the hospital when this is done, but you would want someone to drive you home. If both eyes have a cataract, it is recommended to wait at least one month between surgeries.

As we get older this increases our risk for cataracts, here are some other risk including:

• Diabetes
• Excessive sunlight
• Smoking
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications
• Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol

If you are looking to reduce or even get rid of your eye glasses and/or contacts let us at Rohr Eye & Laser Center help you! We offer several types of LASIK eye surgery including PRK, AK, CK, Cataracts surgery and more. We perform all these eye laser treatments with state of the art equipment. We are a leader in laser vision correction, and our goal is to help you achieve superior vision. Contact us today or view our website http://www.michiganlasik.com/  to schedule an appointment.

If you are preparing for your LASIK eye surgery, there are a few things to keep in mind to have the best experience possible. Although nothing can replace the consultation of your eye surgeon, listed below are some items that can help you before and after your operation. The Lasik procedure is extremely precise, and it removes a small amount of corneal tissue to help provide you with the best vision possible.

Knowing both of the surgery’s advantages and disadvantages and getting a comprehensive evaluation, it is also necessary to know some details of the surgery itself. Getting ready for any surgery is a tedious process and preparing for LASIK is no different. One must ensure that everything is ready and that you look good. While preparing for laser eye surgery isn’t as difficult as with some other surgeries, there are still a few things you need to take care of before you go in for eye surgery.

However, if you are toying with the idea of getting this surgery done, then here are a couple of things you need to know.

1. Stop using contacts

Abstain from wearing your contacts: For at least three days before the LASIK surgery, you should not wear your contacts. Depending on the types of lenses you wear, however, the period could be longer. It is best to ask your doctor what he feels is an ample amount of time.

2. Do not eat too much

Usually, before bodily operations, you are required to refrain from eating for about one day (a full 24 hours). However, before this procedure, it is recommended to have a light meal before coming into the office, as well as any prescribed medications that you may be taking. Again, ask your eye doctor what he/she recommends.

3. No more makeup

Yes, you will need to stop using perfume or makeup or even cream bases the day before LASIK surgery. With these products, debris can cause inflammation, which can lead to haze or scarring. It is best not to wear any mascara, foundation, or any other make-up that may descend into the eyes or obstruct the doctor’s movements.

4. Avoid caffeine.

Another thing you should take note before going for your Lasik is to stop drinking/taking soda or caffeine instead try and drink water. Taking caffeine will make your eyes feel dry, and this will make it hard for you to fully relax after receiving your LASIK surgery. Caffeine also makes some people jittery; we want you to be fully relaxed during the eye surgery.

5. Come with a responsible driver.

Overall, you will feel normal after your LASIK procedure is complete. However, you will not be able to drive yourself home. Before LASIK, ask a responsible friend or family member to be your post-op chauffeur and help you to bed after getting home.

These are the five steps that will surely assist you with preparing for your corrective eye surgery. Preparation is necessary to have a successful operation. Always remember that those who are well prepared will have a better possibility of success.

If you are looking to reduce or even get rid of your eye glasses and/or contacts let us at Rohr Eye & Laser Center help you! We offer several types of LASIK eye surgery including PRK, AK, CK, Cataracts surgery and more. We perform all these eye laser treatments with state of the art equipment. We are a leader in laser vision correction, and our goal is to help you achieve superior vision. Contact us today or view our website http://www.michiganlasik.com/  to schedule an appointment.