Cataracts

Cloudy or blurred vision could be a sign of cataracts, a common eye disease that occurs in many older adults. At Saratoga Eye Institute in Saratoga, California, highly trained ophthalmologist Dr. Ho Sun Choi, MD, screens for and treats cataracts to restore your vision. Call the office to schedule an appointment, or book one online today.

What are cataracts?

Cataracts are an eye disease that clouds the lens of your eye, making it difficult to drive, read, or even detect facial expressions. When left untreated, vision impairment caused by cataracts may negatively affect your life by making it difficult to complete simple everyday tasks. See The specialists at Saratoga Eye Institute at the first sign of cataracts. 

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

The symptoms you may develop because of cataracts include:

• Need for brighter light when reading
• Seeing halos around lights
• Blurred, dim, or clouded vision
• Glare and light sensitivity
• Problems with night vision
• Yellowing or fading colors
• Double vision in one eye

Cloudiness in your vision caused by cataracts might be mild and not very noticeable at first. However, over time it can cause worrisome vision impairment.

What are the risk factors for cataracts?

The common risk factors associated with developing cataracts include:

• Excessive sunlight exposure
• Older age
• Diabetes
• Excess body weight
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Previous eye surgery
• Prior eye injury
• Eye inflammation
• Prolonged use of certain medications
• Excessive alcohol intake

Prevention measures that may lessen your chance of cataracts include attending routine eye exams, eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, not smoking, and managing diabetes or other chronic diseases.

Minimize alcohol, exercise regularly, maintain an ideal weight, and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from ultraviolet radiation. 

How does my doctor diagnose cataracts?

To diagnose cataracts and develop an effective treatment plan, Dr. Choi discusses your symptoms and medical history. He tests your vision, examines your eyes before and after dilating your pupils, and uses specialized tests to measure the pressure within your eyes.

How are cataracts treated?

To treat cataracts, Dr. Choi recommends making healthy lifestyle changes if needed, using prescription glasses to correct vision problems, or undergoing cataract surgery to replace a clouded lens with a clear artificial lens. He lets you know if you’re a candidate for cataract surgery and how to best prepare for it.

To find out if you have cataracts, schedule an eye exam at Saratoga Eye Institute by phone or online today.