Central Florida Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles of the Villages
Related Articles
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Cataracts affect more than 24.4 million Americans age 40 and older, and by age 75, more than half of that demographic will have advanced cataracts.
The usual symptoms of cataracts are blurry vision, seeing double, sensitivity to light (both natural and synthetic) and trouble with night vision. The lens of the eye that is affected is behind the iris (the colored area of the eye). This lens filters light through the eye into the retina, allowing signals of the images that we see to transmit to the brain. But with cataracts, the lens is cloudy and scatters the light, causing blurred vision. If left untreated, cataracts can cause blindness.
The primary cause of the haziness of the lens is aging, but other issues can contribute to the disorder like smoking, family history, obesity, diabetes, excessive UV light (sun) exposure and disease. All of these risks are significant factors in the forming and worsening of cataracts.
Cataract treatment is complex, but standard. It entails an ophthalmologist removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a new intraocular lens (IOL). If both eyes need the procedure, they will be done one at a time, due to small risk of infection and to allow the first eye to heal and regain good vision. For optimal healing, optical drops also need to be administered according to a specific timetable, which your physician will explain in detail to you or your caregiver.
After cataract surgery, typically, you will continue the eye drops for approximately four weeks. Your blurry vision will significantly improve, but the traditional IOL’s are mono-focal, so depending on your prior vision, you may indeed still need to wear your glasses for reading, or for far distance sight.
There are multifocal lenses available that allow for both far and near vision without glasses, but major insurance carriers usually do not cover the cost for those lenses.
Artificial lenses do not have the same susceptibility as the natural lens of the eye, so they will not grow cloudy over time. Getting cataract surgery not only keeps your eyes healthy, but it can give you a new outlook on life because your quality of life will be enhanced significantly. Your ability to be more socially active, read, write, and focus on the world around you, will bring back your confidence and self-reliance, which will get you back to doing what you love within a few short weeks.
Ocala Eye is the largest, most experienced eye care practice in North Central Florida. Since Ocala Eye was founded in 1971, more people from Marion and surrounding counties trust their eyes to the ophthalmologists there than any other eye care group.
Ocala Eye is a patient-centered practice, with all of the decisions made based on the patient’s benefit and well-being. Their patients’ satisfaction reflects this philosophy. Ocala Eye has a passion for providing the highest level of complete eye care and aesthetic services.
Since Ocala Eye is the only truly comprehensive eye care practice in North Central Florida, patients no longer need to be referred out of town for their specialized eye care problems. Ocala Eye is the only ophthalmology practice in Marion County where you can be sure an eye surgeon is always on call, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
To find out more, please call to schedule your appointment today at 352-622-5183.
Ocala Eye
www.ocalaeye.com
352-622-5183
Market Street At Heath Brook
4414 SW College Road, Ocala, FL 34474
Magnolia Office
1500 S.E. Magnolia Ext., Suite 106, Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 622-5183
The Villages Office
1950 Laurel Manor Drive, Suite 250
The Villages, FL 32162
(352) 430-3356
200 West Office
8520 S.W. State Road 200, Ocala, FL 34481
(352) 854-0052
Ocala Eye Surgery Center
3330 S.W. 33rd Road, Ocala, FL 34474
(352) 873-9311
