Nearly twenty-five million people in the United States have vision problems caused by cataracts. While some cataracts develop earlier in life because of genetics or injury, most develop due to the natural process of aging.
The chances of developing cataracts increase dramatically as a person gets older. Fortunately, there’s a proven surgical procedure that can restore or even improve vision.
During cataract surgery, a cataract surgeon can remove the cloudy natural lens and replace it with a clear artificial lens. At Dominion Eye Care, our cataract surgeons have the experience and expertise to perform advanced cataract surgery using the latest techniques and technology to optimize your vision and reduce your dependence on glasses after the surgery.
What is a Cataract?
The natural lens of the eye focuses incoming light onto the retina, which then processes the light into distinct images. In order for your vision to be sharp and clear, the lens must be transparent so that the light can pass through.
A cataract occurs when the natural lens becomes clouded. This can happen because of traumatic injury, radiation, or the use of certain drugs, among other things.
For most people, though, cataracts occur due to the natural aging process that happens within the eye. As you age, the proteins inside your natural lens begin to break down and clump together.
Over time, this causes your lens to become cloudy, affecting your vision and everyday life.
What Are the Signs of Cataracts?
Cataracts typically develop slowly over several years. In some cases, you might not even notice any changes to your vision at first.
However, as cataracts advance, you may begin to experience a number of symptoms. The most common are:
- Blurry vision
- Seeing double or “ghost-like” images in your field of vision
- Halos or starbursts around lights
- Increased glare
- A decrease in the vividness of bright colors
IOLs Available at Dominion Eye Care
There’s no way to restore a natural lens once a cataract has developed. The only way to restore vision affected by cataracts is to remove the clouded lens and replace it with an artificial implant known as an intraocular lens or IOL. When IOLs were first developed, patients had few choices when it came to lens implants. Today, there are several types of IOLs to match a variety of budgets, vision goals and lifestyles.
At Dominion Eye Care, our cataract surgeons offer the following IOLs:
Cataract Symptom Checker
Laser Cataract Surgery (FLACS) with ALLY® by LensAR
Traditional cataract surgery involves the manual removal of the clouded lens by a cataract surgeon using a scalpel to make incisions. However, over the past decade, the use of laser systems in cataract surgery has become increasingly popular.
Laser cataract surgery offers several advantages over traditional scalpel surgery, including improved accuracy, shorter procedure times, added safety, and a potentially more comfortable and expedited recovery experience for patients. Laser cataract surgery also offers the ability to help correct astigmatism and provide optimal visual outcomes afterwards. At Dominion Eye Care, our cataract surgeons are experts at laser cataract surgery using the advanced ALLY® Cataract Treatment System by LensAR, one of the most advanced laser treatment platforms for cataract surgery currently available.
The ALLY® system utilizes a next-generation augmented reality laser that is faster than similar cataract lasers and provides the surgeon with a detailed three-dimensional image of the patient’s eye during the procedure. These features enable the ALLY® system to reduce procedure time more effectively than other systems while simultaneously enhancing precision and accuracy.
By choosing laser cataract surgery with the ALLY® system at Dominion Eye Care, you can benefit from a state-of-the-art treatment option that prioritizes safety, efficiency, and optimal visual outcomes.
How Do I Know If I Need to Have Cataract Surgery?
You should consider cataract surgery once your symptoms become noticeable and begin to interfere with your everyday activities. Since your brain is very good at adjusting to changes in your vision, you might not even notice how much your vision has worsened over time. That’s why it’s important to have regular eye exams, especially once you reach the age of forty. Your eye doctor can detect a developing cataract even before you notice any symptoms.
Do you think that you might be suffering from cataracts? Take our FREE online cataract self-test and see if you’re a good candidate for cataract surgery.
What is the Recovery Like After Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery and the recovery period afterward have come a long way over the past few decades. Many patients see improvement in their vision a day or two after the procedure and usually recover fully within a month. You can ensure a smooth recovery by following your eye doctor’s post-surgery instructions, such as avoiding strenuous activities or heavy lifting for at least a day, and not touching or rubbing the affected eye for at least a week. You should take any prescribed eye drops as instructed to reduce the chances of infection and ensure a smooth recovery.
If you notice anything that seems out of the ordinary, you should contact your eye doctor immediately. It’s also important to make sure you return to your doctor for any scheduled follow-up visits.
Are you experiencing symptoms of cataracts? Schedule a cataract evaluation at Dominion Eye Care in Manassas, VA, today!
