Will You Go Blind if Cataracts Are Not Treated?
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A cataract causes cloudy vision as it affects the lens of your eye. If you have a cataract, it can be difficult to drive, read, or do basic tasks during your day. Cataracts generally develop from aging or injury, which causes tissue changes to your lens. Most cataracts will develop slowly, which means that having a regular eye exam at Wang Vision Institute allows Dr. Ming Wang and Dr. Josh Frenkel the opportunity to detect any changes to your vision. When cataracts are caught early, your chances of developing cataract blindness diminishes significantly. We also provide cataract surgery to patients throughout Nashville, TN looking to improve their cataract vision symptoms.
Cataract symptoms
Some common symptoms of cataracts include:
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Cataract vision
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Difficulty seeing and driving at night
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Light sensitivity
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Seeing halos around lights
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Double vision
Usually, cloudy vision only affects a portion of the eye. As your cataract grows, it will cloud more of the lens, which can lead to worsening vision. At Wang Vision Institute, our doctors suggest our patients schedule an appointment whenever they notice any change to their vision.
How do cataracts affect vision?
Your lens is behind the iris, the colored part of the lens. Its job is to focus on the light that passes in the eye and provide clear images to your retina. As you age, your lens does become less transparent and thicker. When a cataract develops, clouding occurs on your lens, which can block light as it passes through your lens, resulting in blurry or clouded vision.
How long before cataracts cause blindness?
At Wang Vision Institute, we have found that cataract development varies from patient to patient based on their particular health. It can also depend on the cause of cataracts. This is what makes it important to see an eye doctor regularly whenever you have changes with your vision or if you have been diagnosed with cataracts and want to track their progression.
At Wang Vision Institute, Dr. Mang or Dr. Frenkel perform eye exams to help them diagnose cataracts. If you have cataracts, we will discuss treatment options with you, including traditional cataract surgery or laser cataract surgery.
What happens when cataracts go untreated?
Yes, cataracts do worsen over time. This can decrease your quality of life and make daily tasks difficult. When left untreated, cataracts can cause total blindness. According to the World Health Organization, cataracts are the number one cause of blindness in the world. They can progress at different rates, which makes postponing cataract surgery risky. If your cataract is caused by aging and not an illness or injury, then it is much more likely to progress slowly. When your eyes aren’t cared for properly, the cataract can progress faster. This means it requires more efficient intervention.
Learn about cataract treatment near me in Nashville, TN
When you’re experiencing changes in your vision, it’s important to schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Wang Vision Institute. Dr. Ming Wang and Dr. Josh Frenkel have treated cataracts in men and women throughout Nashville, TN. With an early diagnosis, we can create a personalized treatment plan that helps you deal with your cataracts and changes in your vision.