Be on the Lookout for Cataracts

If you associate eye cataracts as signs of “growing older,” you are correct. Maturing is the most prevalent cause. Many people’s eyes start to show signs of aging when they reach 40, which is when the lenses’ normal proteins begin to stop working as well as they used to. So instead of being clear, the normal proteins’ breakdown makes the lenses cloudy. You can compare it to looking through a car windshield that’s misty or grimy. Objects appear fuzzy or less vivid. It’s fairly typical for the lenses of individuals ages 60 and over to start becoming a bit murky, but the cloudiness may not start causing vision problems until years down the road. 

At the office of Paul Thompson, OD, we provide each patient with the utmost care and the best medical treatments. Our team of experts performs eye examinations and provides lens prescriptions. We can also carry contact lenses and can help you pick out the perfect frames from our extensive and assorted collection.

But be aware that cataracts aren’t necessarily due to only advancing age. Additional reasons include:

• Diabetes
• Smoking cigarettes
• Genetics
• Extreme time in the sun without sunglasses or with sunglasses that lack UV protection
• Using corticosteroids medications

If you have cataracts in one or both eyes, you may experience double vision, blurriness, sensitivity to light, muted colors, a need for bright light when reading, problems seeing clearly at night and perceiving the true hues of bright colors. 

The health of your eyes is as important to the office of Paul Thompson, ODas it is to you. Good vision is crucial for innumerable reasons, and it’s especially important to monitor your eye health as your reach middle age. Please call today to schedule an examination!

By Paul Thompson, OD

December 29, 2022