Cataract FAQs

Cataracts are an eye condition that can greatly affect your vision. The condition often gets more serious as the person ages, but surgery can correct the problem. If you believe you have cataracts, contact Butler Eye Care in Lebanon, MO. Our optometrist, Dr. Butler, will perform a comprehensive eye examination to check for cataracts as well as other eye health issues.

What Are Cataracts?

The lens of the eye is usually clear and a cataract occurs when that lens becomes cloudy. People with cataracts see as if they were looking through fog. As the cloudiness gets more pronounced, it becomes more difficult to perform normal tasks like reading and driving.

What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

One of the most common symptoms is a vision that is dim, blurry, or cloudy. You may also experience poor night vision and more sensitivity to light as well as glares. If you need a brighter light than before to read, you may have cataracts. If colors look faded or yellowed or you see what looks like halos around lights, these are typical symptoms. Another symptom is double vision in just one of your eyes. If you have a glasses or contacts prescription that often changes, this is another warning sign. Symptoms often start small and get worse as the years pass.

What Causes Cataracts?

The lens of the eye becoming cloudy is the cause. A cloudy lens can occur due to an injury, disease, or simply from aging. Sometimes it is a genetic disorder or long-term steroid use that creates this change in the lens. There are also several diseases, such as diabetes, that can cause cataracts.

Who Gets Cataracts?

Many risk factors can increase your chance of developing cataracts. Simply getting older places you in a high-risk group. If you receive excessive sunlight exposure, this can also be a factor. Smoking, being obese, and having high blood pressure can also put you at a higher risk.

Eye Care Lebanon, MO

If you live in or around Lebanon, MO, and you would like to schedule an eye exam to test for cataracts and other eye health conditions, call Butler Eye Care today at (417) 991-3200 for an appointment.