LASIK Laser Eye Surgery Blog

Can Cataract Surgery Help Me?

A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens in the front of the eye, which is normally clear. There is no pain associated with the condition but there are other symptoms, including:

Blurred/hazy vision
Spots in front of the eye(s)
Sensitivity to glare
A feeling of "film" over the eye(s)

Risk factors for developing cataracts include being over 55 years old, eye injury or disease, a family history of cataracts, smoking or use of certain medications.

For people who are significantly affected by cataracts, lens replacement surgery may be recommended. During cataract replacement, the most common surgical procedure in the country, the lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one called an intraocular lens or IOL.

Answer provided by William L. Gonzalez, M.D. of Bowie, MD
Click here to send an email to William L. Gonzalez, M.D.

Labels: Cataract Surgery, cataract symptoms, cataracts

12:36 PM

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Exercise Helps Prevent Cataracts

A new study conducted by the the National Runners' Health Study shows that those who live an active lifestyle are less likely to develop cataracts. The study of nearly 29,000 men and 12,000 women, all non-smokers, shows that men and women whose Body Mass Index exceeded U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines were more at risk of developing cataracts.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Body Mass Index (BMI) guidelines, based on height and weight, are as follows:

BMI less than 18.5 = Underweight
BMI 18.5 to 24.9 = Normal weight
BMI 25 to 29.9 = Overweight
BMI 30 or higher = Obese

The study shows that men who run 40 miles or more per week (or perform an equal amount of other cardiovascular exercise per week) were 35% less likely to develop cataracts than those who ran 10 miles or less.

The bottom line is, the more exercise you get, the less chance you'll have of developing cataracts. Additionally, the benefits of cardiovascular exercise for the heart and lungs help prevent other diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes.

Thanks for visiting Eye Surgery USA!

Labels: body mass index, cataracts

10:16 AM

Monday, March 23, 2009

Cataract Surgery Can Help You See Again!

Do you suffer from cataracts?

Feel like you're too young to have cataracts, but your doctor wants you to be tested?

Here is some helpful information on what cataracts are and the options available today for living cataract free:

A cataract is a clouding (usually gradual) of the eye's natural lens. Most adults over age 60 have symptoms of cataracts, but they can effect adults as young as 55 or younger.
A cataract can be the reason sharp images become blurred, or seeing things at night is more difficult. It may also be why the eyeglasses or contact lenses that used to help you read, or do other simple tasks, no longer seem to help.

More than a million cataract operations will be performed nationwide this year alone. What are the symptoms of a cataract? Because the cloudy lens allows less light to reach the retina, distance and/or reading vision is often fuzzy and indistinct through the affected eye.

Other key symptoms of cataracts:

Difficulty reading small print such as the newspaper
Difficulty driving, especially at night
Annoying glare from sunlight and or car headlights
Cloudy or hazy vision
Diminished color perception

If you'd like more information on catacts, such as corrective surgery options and how you can get diagnosed by a local Board Certified Corrective Eye Surgeon, Click Here.

Labels: Cataract Surgery, cataract symptoms, cataracts

11:24 AM

Friday, February 13, 2009

What Are Cataracts?

The lens of the eye, located in the front of the eye, is usually clear. A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens, which literally 'clouds' vision and makes seeing difficult. There is no pain associated with the condition, however there are other symptoms, including:

Blurred/hazy/cloudy vision
Spots in front of the eye(s)
Sensitivity to glare
A feeling of "film" over the eye(s)

Risk factors for cataracts develop with age and include eye injury or disease, a family history of cataracts, smoking or use of certain medications.

For people who are significantly affected by cataracts, lens replacement surgery may be recommended. During cataract surgery, the most common surgical procedure in the country, the lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one called an intraocular lens or IOL.

Answer provided by William L. Gonzalez, M.D. of Bowie, MD
Click here to send an email to William L. Gonzalez, M.D.

Labels: Cataract Surgery, cataracts, lens replacement surgery

8:00 AM

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Eye Surgeon Consultation Checklist

Sometimes, it's hard to remember every question you may have about your eyesight and vision correction surgery. This is a short list of important questions to ask and areas of concern to cover with your eye care professional at your initial consultation.

When you call to schedule an appointment with the eye doctor:

Prepare a short, concise description of your vision problems
Before you call the doctor's office, call your insurance company to be sure that your eye doctor is a participating member in your plan. Then, call your doctor's office to inquire about the accepted insurance coverage. At this time you should ask the cost of the exam, based on your insurance coverage.

Ask if you'll need a ride from the consultation. Oftentimes, a topical solution is applied to the eyes, which makes the muscles in the eyes relax during the examination.

Before your examination, be sure to prepare:

Specific symptoms you're having, such as 'curtains' over your eyes, flashes of light, temporary blindness, difficulty seeing or driving at night, etc.)
A record of any eye injuries, damage or prior surgeries
A list of all prescription or over the counter drugs you take
Health and medical history including any major illness, disease or prior surgical procedures
Any family history of eye disease, such as glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration

Be sure to bring to your consultation:

Any prescription glasses or 'cheaters' you may use
Previous eye correction prescriptions
Your medical insurance cards and vision insurance cards

Eye Surgery USA is your ultimate resource for information on eye correction surgery and searching for the best eye correction surgeons in your area.

Labels: cataracts, Glaucoma, macular degeneration, vision correction

8:01 AM

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Are Computer Screens Bad for My Eyes?

Can looking at computer screens damage my eyes?

No. While complaints of eye fatigue and discomfort are common among computer users, these symptoms are not caused by the computer screen itself. Computer screens give off little or no harmful radiation (such as x-rays or UV rays). All levels of radiation from computer screens are below levels that can cause eye damage such as cataracts.

Can looking at a computer screen cause eyestrain?

Fatigue, dry eyes, bad lighting, or how you sit in front of the computer can cause eyestrain. Symptoms of eyestrain include sore or irritated eyes and difficulty focusing. You may also have symptoms of eyestrain if you need glasses or a change in your glasses.

What can I do to prevent eyestrain?

You can help prevent eyestrain by making changes to your computer workspace and by visiting your eye doctor. Here are a few suggestions on how to make your workspace more comfortable:

Place your screen 20 to 26 inches away from your eyes and a little bit below eye level.
Use a document holder placed next to your computer screen. It should be close enough so you don't have to swing your head back and forth or constantly change your eye focus.
Change your lighting to lower glare and harsh reflections. Glare filters over your computer screen can also help.
Get a chair you can adjust.
Choose screens that can tilt and swivel. A keyboard that you can adjust is also helpful.

This article was provided by the Prevent Blindness America organization - a non-profit organization leading volunteer eye health and safety with the sole mission of preventing blindness and preserving sight.

Thank you for visiting Eye Surgery USA!

Labels: cataracts, computer screen bad for eyes, Dry Eye Syndrome, prevent blindness america

1:43 PM

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Definition of a Cataract

A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. A cataract decreases the amount of light that is focused on the retina, resulting in an overall blurriness of images. Having a cataract disturbs vision much like looking through a fogged windshield.

The lens is the part of the eye that helps focus light on the retina. The retina is the eye's light-sensitive layer that sends visual signals to the brain. In a normal eye, light passes through the lens and gets focused on the retina. To help produce a sharp image, the lens must remain clear.The lens is made up of mostly water and protein. The protein is arranged to let light pass through and focus on the retina. Sometimes some of the protein clumps together. This can start to cloud small areas of the lens, blocking some light from reaching the retina and interfering with vision.

A cataract can occur in any part of the lens: In the front, center, or the back part. The front cataract causes problem in vision as well as causes glare from the light. Central cataract causes problem in far vision and may not affect reading. Posterior cataract causes problem in reading. A combination of all the 3 forms may also occur.

Labels: cataracts

3:52 PM

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Cataracts and Treatment

A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye which is in the front of the eye and normally clear. Even though there is no pain associated with cataracts, there are other problems it poses such as blurry vision, spots in front of the eye, sensitivity to glare and seeing a "film" of sorts on the eye.

Usually cataracts are found in people over 55 years old, those with eye injury or disease, a family history of cataracts, smoking or use of certain medications.

People who come in seeking help for their cataracts usually get lens replacement surgery. During the surgery the lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens called an IOL or intraocular lens.

To learn more about cataracts visit Eye Surgery USA.

Labels: cataracts

9:22 AM

Monday, February 11, 2008

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a gradual clouding of the eye's natural lens. Usually most adults over the age of 60 have symptoms of cataracts. A Cataract can be the reason sharp images become blurry or vision at night becomes more difficult.

What are the symptoms of a cataract?

Because the cloudy lens allows less light to reach the retina, distance and/or reading vision is often fuzzy and indistinct through the affected eye.

Other key symptoms of cataracts:

Difficulty reading small print such as the newspaper
Difficulty driving, especially at night
Annoying glare from sunlight and or car headlights
Cloudy or hazy vision
Diminished color perception

How are cataracts diagnosed?

Medical History - Current medications, any allergies, prior eye disease, and previous surgeries.
Eye Exam - Refraction to test prescription, examining the back structures of the eye, including retina and optic nerve, eye pressure is also checked to check for glaucoma.

If you suspect that you may have cataracts and are in need of a doctor to check you out, visit Eye Surgery USA to find your Eye Surgeon near you!

Labels: cataracts, LASIK Laser Eye Surgeon Search

3:48 PM

LASIK Laser Eye Surgery Blog at Eye Surgery USA

Monday, October 5, 2009