Why Early Detection of Cataracts Leads to Better Outcomes

Everyone—yes, that includes you—will get cataracts if fortunate to live a long life. This age-related condition might not become troublesome until you’ve celebrated 75, 80, or even more birthdays. But, statistically, by that time, you’ll either have them or have had a cataract removal.

Early cataract detection is really important. In most cases, they don’t have any symptoms during the early stages. And, while they’re generally associated with advancing age, they can occur earlier in life. As the saying goes, knowledge is power. So, if there is such an issue brewing, your ophthalmologist can keep an eye on its progress (pun intended…) and ensure the best-timed treatment.

Cataracts, the Benefits of Early Eye Exams, and Why You Should Never Skip Your Eye Exams

Cataracts are the world’s leading cause of blindness. The World Health Organization puts this figure at 51%, which is pretty shocking for what is a virtually a 100% treatable condition. Thankfully, in the US at least, most of us have access to proactive eye care, which includes regular eye examinations. It’s during these that most cataracts are diagnosed—and way before any symptoms become apparent.

Everyone is susceptible, with white Americans having the highest risk.

Early detection means that cataract treatment timing can be tailored to your unique needs. The outcome of cataract surgery depends on many things, including:

• The health of your eye at the time of surgery: Early cataract detection means that there’s plenty of time for your eye doctor to manage other conditions. The success of the operation is directly impacted by certain conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, eye injuries, anything that requires long-term steroid use, chronic eye inflammation, etc.
• Potential complications can be managed: Cataract operations are one of the safest and most commonly performed surgeries in the world, with millions carried out each year in the US alone. Everyone has a unique eye anatomy and risk factor, both of which will be assessed. In addition to the above-mentioned medical conditions, the complexity of the operation can be influenced by pupil size, high levels of short or long-sightedness, certain medications, your age, and more.
• Over-ripe cataracts are more difficult to remove: Cataracts become stiffer and thicker as they progress. This not only complicates surgery, thus raising the risk factors, but can also affect how good your resulting vision will be. 

Optimal cataract treatment timing also has some other, perhaps surprising, benefits.

• Poor vision due to cataracts can significantly impact day-to-day life, such as driving, reading, watching TV, playing sports, hobbies, and more.
• This can also affect mental health. Anything that impedes doing the things you enjoy will negatively affect your well-being.
• Reduces the chance of trips and falls from poor vision. These are a leading cause of dramatic, age-related decline. Early cataract detection, monitoring, and timely treatment can play a big part in preventing this.
• Reduced healing times. An optimally timed operation gives the best chance of healing going to plan and getting back to normal in the shortest possible time.

Plus, early cataract detection gives you and your ophthalmologist plenty of time to discuss options. Surgery methods and intraocular lenses (IOLs) are advancing at an incredibly fast rate, with new, cutting-edge options being unveiled all the time. One of the benefits of early eye exams that catch the issue in its infancy means a personalized, dynamic treatment plan can be put in place. 

This can be especially relevant for anyone at a higher risk, such as diabetics, glaucoma patients, a health condition that requires steroids, hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions, or if you have any kind of irregular eye anatomy.

We can’t overstate how important regular eye exams are, not only for early cataract detection, but also for all-round great eye health and vision.

Regular vision tests and examinations are as essential as your other annual or bi-annual health checks. So, while it’s fresh in your mind, why not head over to https://www.moderncataractsurgery.com/ for more information and call our friendly team to book yours today.