Posted by: Mann Eye in Cataracts
Mann Eye Institute wants you to know that Cataracts can creep up on you.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Today’s seniors are more active than ever before. They work out. They watch their diet. They travel and enjoy a significant degree of independence. Basically, they’re inspiring!
Much of this trend may be due to the fact that the senior population is gradually incorporating more baby boomers — a generation that values physical activity and whose number two reason for seeing a physician is a sports-related injury, as reported by the International Council on Active Aging.
But there’s one other good reason to see a doctor. Your eyes. If you’re over the age of 60, when was the last time you had your vision checked?
Mmhmm. Let’s talk about it.
No doubt, a healthy and active lifestyle at any age is made better with good vision. But as we get older, it becomes even more important. Why? Falls. According to the U.S Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four Americans age 65 and over falls each year. Even more concerning, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans.
The team of vision experts at Mann Eye Institute is working hard every day to help reverse this falling trend and to make sure Houston and Austin seniors are seeing as well as possible. And they’re using Cataract Awareness Month (June) as an opportunity to educate everyone about how today’s advanced cataract procedures and lenses can give seniors the opportunity to See Life Better.
Beyond the Fog Lies Clarity
More than a nice quote, it’s true. Like, literally actually true. See, a cataract is a progressive clouding of the naturally clear lens of the eye. For people who have cataracts (an estimated 22 million Americans), seeing through a cloudy lens is a bit like looking through a dense fog. Over the course of time, if left undiagnosed, cataracts can cause blindness.
As the U.S. population ages, more than 30 million Americans are expected to have cataracts by the year 2020, according to Prevent Blindness America.
Detection is key where cataracts are concerned. Symptoms often include:
- Blurred vision
- Colors appear faded or washed out
- Difficulty with night driving (halos and glare)
- Frequent glasses changes
Fog Lifted!
It’s important to understand cataracts cannot be treated with medication, eye drops or lifestyle changes and they will not resolve on their own. Cataracts must be surgically removed in order for vision to be restored.
If you suspect cataracts for yourself or a loved one, the first step is scheduling a cataract screening. Schedule your cataract screening at Mann Eye Institute today.
If you’re diagnosed with a cataract (or two), the experienced doctors at Mann Eye Institute will perform a comprehensive refractive eye exam to measure the degree of vision loss. Their highly trained cataract counselors will thoroughly discuss your vision goals, explain the many lens options, explain Medicare coverage/insurance concerns and schedule your procedure.
Laser cataract surgery at Mann Eye Institute is a safe procedure in which the eye’s clouded lens is gently removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens implant. You won’t be able to feel the new lens and it can’t be seen. The procedure takes just a few minutes, is performed in an outpatient setting and is virtually painless.
A Lens for Your Active Life
Mann Eye Institute is at the forefront of major advancements in lens exchange procedures that can help cataract patients see even better than they did before their cataract surgery. They offer a variety of Active Life Lenses that not only replace the cloudy lens caused by cataracts but can eliminate the need for glasses or bifocals, in many cases.
Multifocal lenses are created to improve distance and near focus while Toric lenses are designed to correct astigmatism. The cataract experts at Mann Eye Institute will happily explain all of the many lens options and benefits. While there are no lens options that can guarantee 20/20 vision at all distances, most people who choose an Active Life Lens are happily glasses-free for most activities.
If you’re a senior, Cataract Awareness Month is an ideal time to make sure your eyes are healthy and your vision is clear. Trust your eyes to the experts at Mann Eye Institute and schedule your cataract screening today.