Assessing your Timing for Cataract Removal

Cataracts, or clouded, thickened lenses in the eye, affect upwards of 70% of adults. Historically, cataracts have been somewhat perceived as an "old age" condition, something that we really needn't worry about because by the time vision is affected, we may not really care. At the Eye Institute of Houston, we believe that all people of all ages deserve to have the degree of vision they need to live a happy life.
When it comes to cataract treatment, there is no line in the sand that says "now is the time." That time is different for every person. Without a clear guide, though, how do you know when it is appropriate for you to see your ophthalmologist about having clouded lenses replaced with a clear, fresh intraocular lens? Here, we will look at a few indicators.

Lifestyle
How we go about our life has changed somewhat over the past few decades. Life expectancy has expanded, and this means that older adults are not as old as our grandparents seemed. Healthy diet and exercise habits, along with stress management, enable us to continue operating at peak physical performance well into our senior years. If vision then becomes the problem, one may not engage in the biking, hiking, and sports they otherwise would.

Quality of Life
To live longer and better doesn't always have to involve extreme sports, or even sports at all. Quality of life is encased in the joy we get from family gatherings, from friendships, and from hobbies. Whether it is a walk with your dog, a moonlight dance, or pruning the flowers in your garden that brings you enjoyment in your life, you deserve to immerse yourself fully. When cataracts get in the way of doing the things you love, life gets smaller and smaller.

Safety
Older adults face unique risks that may not always be understood, until they develop. Cataracts and certain other vision problems increase a senior's likelihood of suffering a fall. This is directly related to the clarity of what is seen, and also to the correlation between sight and gait, or how one walks. In addition to falls, cataracts present a concern related to driving at night.

Find the help you need to manage eye health in our Houston eye center. Call (713) 668-7337.