Is Cataract Surgery Worth It?
Do you have cataracts? Are you trying to decide if you should get cataract surgery or not?
Any procedure on your eyes seems like it would be scary but cataract surgery is more than worth it! After all, don’t you miss having clear vision?
Cataract surgery will give it back to you! To make the best decision, you may have questions for your surgeon about the procedure, recovery process, and benefits.
Keep reading to learn more about cataracts and to find out why the procedure is worth it!
What are cataracts?
Cataracts occur when the proteins in the natural lens of your eye start to clump together. This makes the lens look foggy, and it is very difficult for light to come through.
Cataracts can give you blurry or cloudy vision and often lead to vision loss. You can develop cataracts at any age, but it’s most common when you’re in your forties or fifties.
You may not notice them until you are in your sixties.
What are some of the signs of cataracts?
There are many symptoms and signs tied to cataracts. Some of the more common ones include:
- Blurry or cloudy vision
- Seeing glares
- Developing light sensitivity
- Requiring more light to see clearly
- Finding it difficult to see at night
- Seeing halos around lights
Early on you may not experience any signs of cataracts, but as they develop and get larger, there’s a good chance you will.
Here’s What Makes Cataract Surgery Worth It:
Improved Vision
While this is the most obvious reason that getting cataract surgery is worth it, it is also the most important. Cataracts occur when the natural lens in your eye becomes cloudy, giving you blurry or foggy vision.
Cataract surgery allows you to have clear vision again because the surgeon removes your natural lens. It is then replaced with an artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens or IOL.
The IOL allows you to see clearly and enjoy life again.
Better Quality of Life
As cataracts develop, they can make it harder to enjoy everyday tasks and hobbies. This includes driving, reading, sewing, or other detail-oriented tasks.
You may even find it difficult to see facial expressions. Also, you might find it harder to enjoy social activities and that you have less independence.
Cataracts can make it hard to look at light due to your blurry vision, requiring more light to see clearly, and difficulty seeing colors. By getting cataract surgery, these symptoms disappear and your quality of life will improve. This will allow you to get back to feeling like yourself.
Be Safer
With age, falling becomes more common. This means it can become more dangerous when you fall compared to when you were younger.
For some, falling is deadly. One of the reasons that falling increases with age is because of vision loss. Cataracts can severely impact your vision. When you get cataract surgery, the amount that you fall should be reduced, allowing you to be safer.
Live Longer
By having cataract surgery, your chances of living longer increases. By having clear vision, you are decreasing the probability of having an injury due to falling or even getting into a car accident because of poor vision.
It is your decision if you want to get cataract surgery, but if your quality of life is severely impacted, then it’s worth it. Clear vision allows you to go back to the activities you love while also being safer.
Are you ready to talk about having your cataracts removed? Schedule a cataract screening at Complete EyeCare West in Columbus, OH with one of our talented ophthalmologists!
