The Dangers of Untreated Cataracts

December 18th, 2017
very blurry photo of family playing board game

Due to their common nature, most people have heard of cataracts. But, what exactly is
a cataract? And more importantly, once you have one (or two), how does it affect your
everyday life?

At Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers we are here to provide answers to these questions, and
beyond that – solutions!

Let’s go back to basics for a minute and talk about what a cataract is, and why it forms.

A cataract refers to the cloudy blockage of the eye’s natural lens. This causes blurring,
colors to appear dull or muted and a decline in the quality of your sight.

Just behind the colored part of the eye (the iris), rests the lens. The lens focuses
incoming light into a sharp, distinct image onto the retina. It works much like a camera
lens, focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye, where an image is recorded.
The retina then transmits information from this image to the brain via the optic nerve.

The lens is made of mostly water and protein and is arranged in a precise way that
keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it. But as we age, some of the protein
may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens.

Each part of the eye’s anatomy can be susceptible to issues as a natural part of aging.
When the lens becomes thicker, more rigid and exceedingly opaque, cataracts develop.
Incoming light is no longer able to focus onto the retina properly, resulting in loss of
vision.

Although cataracts occur most often in the elderly, people of all ages can develop a
cataract.

What are common cataract dangers once they develop?

Left untreated, cataracts will cause a continual decline in the quality of your vision. They
run the risk of becoming hyper-mature, making them more difficult to remove.

One sign that people usually notice first is the reduced ability to drive at night. Objects
become blurry and are more difficult to see in bright lights, and glare is increasingly
more problematic.

What causes cataracts?

Researchers suspect that there are several different causes of cataracts, such as
smoking and diabetes. Or, it may be that the protein in the lens just changes from the
wear and tear it takes over the years. Scientists are also researching a possible link
between sun exposure and cataracts.

Cataracts, in general, cannot be prevented, especially those that are age-related.
However, they CAN be treated.

This is where the good news comes in!

Cataract surgery at Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers in Arlington, Dallas, Plano, Mount
Pleasant and Gun Barrel City is a simple procedure with many long-term benefits.

With options such as LifeStyle Lenses and laser cataract treatment, there is a solution
for everyone to improve their vision to live your best quality of life.

When you visit one of our Centers of Excellence, you will experience nothing but
extraordinary service. From our incredible team of world-class surgeons and support
team to the latest and safest leading-edge technologies, you can feel confident trusting
your eyes to us.

To find out more about cataract laser treatment, check out our cataracts page. Although
cataracts are an inevitable part of aging, they don’t have to slow you or your loved ones
down.

Ready to see what life has to offer with the clarity you deserve? Don’t waste another
day living with the dangers of cataracts.

Schedule a cataract surgery appointment online today or call 800.714.2020 to speak
with a team member.

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