Understanding Cataracts: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Cataracts are a common eye condition that can cloud your vision and affect your daily life. They develop when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, leading to blurred or dimmed vision. While cataracts are often associated with aging, they can occur at any stage of life. At Ophthalmology Associates of Queens in Astoria, NY, Dr. Chad Haller provides care for patients with cataracts, offering solutions to restore clear vision and improve quality of life.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts form when proteins in the eye’s lens break down and clump together, creating cloudy areas that interfere with light passing through to the retina. This can result in symptoms such as blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, sensitivity to light, and faded colors. Over time, cataracts can worsen, making it harder to perform everyday tasks like reading or driving. While aging is the most common cause of cataracts, other factors such as diabetes, prolonged sun exposure, smoking, and certain medications can increase the risk. Early detection and treatment are key to managing cataracts effectively.
How Cataracts Are Treated
At Ophthalmology Associates of Queens, Dr. Chad Haller begins with a thorough eye examination to assess the severity of the cataracts and their impact on your vision. In the early stages, stronger glasses, magnifying lenses, or improved lighting may help manage symptoms. However, as cataracts progress, surgery is often the most effective treatment. Cataract surgery is a safe and highly successful procedure that involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens (IOL). This outpatient procedure typically takes less than an hour, and most patients experience significant improvement in their vision shortly after surgery.
While we do not perform LASIK, we do use lasers in some cases to treat a common post-surgery condition called posterior capsule opacification—a cloudy film that can develop on the new lens. This quick, non-invasive laser treatment restores clear vision without the need for additional surgery.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If you’re experiencing symptoms of cataracts or have concerns about your vision, call Ophthalmology Associates of Queens in Astoria, NY. Dr. Chad Haller provides care and treatment options to restore clear vision and enhance your quality of life. Call us today at (718) 728-0224 to schedule your consultation.