In association with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the doctors and staff of Brooks Eye Associates want to remind you and your family of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in preventing vision loss from cataracts.
June is National Cataract Awareness Month, so we’re encouraging everyone age 60 and above to schedule a comprehensive dilated eye evaluation with your primary eye care doctor. By doing so, your trusted optometrist will be able to thoroughly evaluate your ocular system for common age-related eye disease and potential vision loss from cataracts. Annual cataract evaluations – and even 2nd opinions for cataracts – are covered under Medicare and most insurance providers.
There are several types of cataracts – congenital, traumatic and diabetes-related – that cause the natural lens in our eyes to become progressively opaque, resulting in blurred vision. However, the most common form of cataracts is simply the normal, age-related cataract that is part of our body’s natural aging process. Just like the aging and thickening of our toenails and fingernails – and the natural graying of our hair – the natural lenses in our eyes age as well.
Symptoms of cataract development are relatively non-existent until the clumps of certain proteins have grown large enough to interfere significantly with the passage of light through our natural lenses. Once developed, common symptoms include, but are not limited to the following:
– Cloudy or blurred vision
– Double vision
– Faded colors
– Increased sensitivity to glare
The good news is that by being aware of your eye health and getting regular eye exams, you and your eye doctor will be able to better understand when cataract development is posing a risk to you. For many people, this risk starts when patients feel they have lost their confidence to drive at night or perform their normal daily activities.
At Brooks Eye Associates, we are passionate about helping you enjoy a lifetime of the best possible vision through protection, preservation, and restoration of your precious gift of sight. If you do not have a primary eye care provider (optometrist), we have set aside times throughout the month for patients to come in for a comprehensive cataract evaluation.
If your vision just isn’t as clear and sharp as it used to be, please call our office today at (972) 736-9347 to schedule your evaluation or visit your local optometrist to protect your vision during National Cataract Awareness Month!
