The Worst Advice About Cataractsin Boston, MA

Cataracts are a common condition. If you live long enough, you will eventually get cataracts. Because cataracts take time to grow, many people begin to develop them in their forties. Their impact on vision becomes greater over time.

Despite how common cataracts are, there is a lot of misinformation out there about the condition. Worse, there are people who give bad advice to individuals with cataracts.

Keep reading for the worst advice about cataracts, and to learn the truth about the condition.

Ignore Them, Since There’s Nothing You Can Do About Cataracts

This is false! Ignoring your cataracts is not a good option and can lead to eventual blindness. In fact, you can treat cataracts by undergoing cataract surgery.

With cataract surgery, you can regain any vision loss due to having a cataract.

If you think that you have cataracts, it’s important to get your eyes checked out. Common symptoms to watch out for include blurry vision, glare, and eye pain.

Like any other eye condition, it’s always best if you get an early diagnosis with cataracts. After you’re diagnosed, your eye doctor can monitor the condition before starting treatment. Once your vision has become impeded, you’ll need to get cataract surgery.

You Can Treat Your Cataracts With Eye Drops

There are no eye drops that can treat cataracts. The only form of effective treatment is cataract surgery. Although there are studies, right now, you cannot dissolve cataracts with eye drops.

Human testing is a long way off, and it is unlikely that such drops will be available on the market for a long time. For now, cataract surgery is the only way to treat cataracts.

There is Nothing You Can Do To Prevent Cataracts

This is a bit of a misleading statement. While there is no way to prevent cataracts entirely, you can reduce your risk of developing them early in life.

The smart thing to do: live a healthy lifestyle! You’re at a higher risk of developing cataracts if you smoke, binge drink, or eat poorly.

You should also avoid sun damage and keep active. Developing healthy habits now can make a big difference when it comes to avoiding early cataracts.

Don’t Get Cataract Surgery – Your Cataracts Will Grow Back

Cataracts cannot “grow back” once they have been removed. During cataract surgery, your cataract gets removed, followed by the natural lens.

An artificial lens known as an IOL is then inserted into the eye. This artificial lens cannot develop a cataract as it is not made of organic material.

There is such a thing as a “secondary cataract,” which occurs when your own body starts to create scar tissue under the new lens. When this happens, the capsule becomes cloudy around the edges of the IOL.

This is rare and can be easily treated. The secondary cataract is removable with a procedure called a YAG laser capsulotomy.

A YAG laser capsulotomy is performed with a laser and at an eye doctor’s office.

Wondering if it’s time for cataract surgery? Contact Nielsen Eye Center in Norwell, Quincy, or Weymouth, MA to schedule your appointment today!