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What Are Cataracts?


 

A cataract is an eye condition when the lens is obstructed by clouded vision. Vision with cataracts is similar to looking through a foggy window that cannot be properly cleaned without professional help. Aside from vision restrictions, a patient experiencing the varying cataract progression can often find it difficult to perform normal actions. Reading, driving, or seeing facial expressions can become increasingly troublesome as symptoms develop. As the cataract grows larger, it will cloud more of your vision field and further distort the light that is passing through the eye’s lens.

How Do Cataracts Develop?

Cataracts develop due to the patient’s age or an injury that affects the tissues within the eye. Any specific cataract cause will result in excess protein to clump up over the eye lens and block the necessary amount of light from entering the retina. The lens’ purpose is to focus the light that passes through the eye in order to produce clear, sharp image projections. A cataract will cause the lens to scatter the absorbed light in different directions. This is why vision becomes blurry for cataract patients. As the body ages, the lens in the eye become thicker and less flexible, causing cataract symptoms to intensify and become more severe than previously noticeable.

Cataract Symptoms

Cataracts develop quite slowly and often don’t affect vision early on in its development. In addition to clouded vision, cataract symptoms can include one or more of the following.

  • Faded colors
  • Frequent eyeglass or contact lens prescription changes
  • Difficulty seeing at night
  • Light sensitivity
  • Double vision in single eye

Types of Treatable Cataracts

There are four types of cataracts eligible for corrective vision procedures like cataract surgery. Below will list the cataracts treatable at Marano Eye Care in New Jersey.

Nuclear Cataract

A nuclear cataract may cause temporary nearsightedness, which may help patients with tasks like reading or using the computer. Over time, the lens continues to cloud, harden, and develop a yellow tint – blocking light from entering the retina. The central portion of the lens clouds and slowly affects longer-ranged vision.

Cortical Cataracts

Cortical cataracts begin as a white, wedge shaped cloudiness on the outer edge of the lens. This type of cataract will continue to extend towards the center of the eye as it proceeds to grow. A common issue with cortical cataracts is an extreme sensitivity to glare.

Posterior Subscapular Cataracts

Posterior subscapular cataracts begin as a small, cloudy area in the back of the lens. Its position directly interferes with light passing through the lens to the retina from behind the lens within the eye.

Congenital Cataracts

Congenital cataracts are an eye complication that the patient is born with. This birth trait can result from the mother contracting an infection during pregnancy. Other causes may occur from myotonic dystrophy, galactosemia, Lowe’s syndrome, and rubella.

Cataract Treatment in New Jersey

Don’t let cataracts negatively affect your life any longer. Marano Eye Care in New Jersey is committed to correcting your cataract conditions with your quality of life as a top priority. Our experienced ophthalmologists and staff utilize cutting-edge technology to diagnose and apply the correct treatment methods to restore your vision. Contact us today to learn more about Marano Eye care and the comprehensive procedures and tests we provide. Let us focus on your vision so you can enjoy life in a whole new way!

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