Cataracts and Cataract Surgery

What is a cataract? A cataract is the normally clear lens in the eye that becomes cloudy. This natural lens helps the eye focus similar to the lens in a camera. Once a cataract begins to develop, you might experience vision changes such as: blurry vision, double vision, sensitivity to light, and/or decreased night vision and changes in color vision.

Common causes of cataracts: increased age, family history, Diabetes, certain medications such as steroids, and/or previous eye injuries or eye surgeries.

The best way to diagnose a cataract is by routine eye exam, and the treatments can be simply changing a glass prescription or by surgery.

Cataract surgery is an out-patient procedure done under local anesthesia. The incision is very small and self-sealing, and is usually closed without stitches. The procedure is called phacoemulsification and the cloudy lens is broken up by ultrasound and the pieces are emulsified and removed. Once the natural lens is removed, an intraocular implant is usually placed in the natural lens position, also done without stitches. These implants have different prescriptions built in and can correct for various vision issues such as: astigmatism, nearsightedness, and some degree of farsightedness. There are even multifocal implants available which can correct for distance, intermediate, and near vision.

Gunnison Valley Ophthalmology offers complete eye exams to diagnose cataracts and all other eye related issues. We offer cataract surgery performed with the latest techniques right here at Gunnison Valley Hospital. Call today to make your appointment for a complete eye exam and to discuss cataract surgery and to learn about all the options available.

Click here to schedule your complete eye medical exam call 970-642-4816.