Correcting Cataracts

As Americans grow older, their risk of cataracts dramatically increases. By the age of 80, more than half of all Americans have had a cataract or cataract surgery, according to the National Eye Institute. More than 1.3 million cataract surgeries are performed each year in the United States. As people age, the lens of their eyes clouds over and their vision is blurred. Diabetes can hasten the onset of cataracts as can nutrition – at least to some degree. Heavy salt consumption, for example, appears to increase the risk of significant cataract development. Cataracts are not usually painful nor do they lead to symptoms like redness or sudden vision changes that would prompt immediate treatment. Instead the clouding of your vision takes place slowly. Many people can have cataracts for a number of years before noticing any significant vision problems. Cataracts can be corrected with an outpatient surgery. The clouded lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. It’s a short procedure – about 15 minutes – that improves vision immediately. Read more about cataract surgery on our website. Have you undergone cataract surgery? How did your vision improve?