Cataract Treatment for the Greater Buffalo, NY Area
You are born with a beautiful and clear natural lens inside of your eye. Much like a camera lens, this crystalline lens has the ability to alter its power in order to focus on objects at varying distances. Over several decades, the crystalline lens becomes cloudy and rigid, losing its ability to focus on near targets – a condition known as presbyopia, which is treated with the use of reading glasses. From then on, the lens is called a cataract and gradually becomes more opaque until it causes symptoms that are bothersome to the patient, such as a decrease in vision or glare at night (especially with driving). At this stage it is reasonable to consider cataract surgery to improve the vision, decrease glare, and reduce dependence on glasses. Unless treated, a cataract will progressively worsen with time.
If you have cataracts, you are one of millions of people in the United States with the same condition. In fact, more than 50% of Americans over the age of 60 have cataracts. In most cases, the exact cause of cataracts is not known. Most experts agree that cataracts are a normal and expected consequence of the natural aging process. Cataracts also may develop as a result of eye injury, certain medications such as steroids, illnesses such as diabetes, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, poor nutrition, and smoking.
Our doctors and staff will perform a series of tests in order to diagnose a cataract and create a customized eye surgery plan. A dilated eye exam will be performed to examine the condition of the lens and other parts of the eye. Our doctors may also perform tonometry, a procedure that measures the pressure in the eye, as some cataracts can actually cause high eye pressure and lead to glaucoma. If you've been experiencing blurred vision, dry eyes, or other issues, we encourage you to schedule a consultation to see if a cataract surgery is right for you. During your procedure, we'll place either monofocal or multifocal lenses to improve your vision. We're proud to perform cataract surgery procedures for patients throughout Buffalo, Amherst, Williamsville, Orchard Park, North Tonawanda, Cheektowaga, West Seneca, Hamburg, East Aurora, and Clarence, NY.
Normal crystalline lens
Mature cataract
Signs That You Might Need Cataract Surgery
Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process. They don’t always need immediate removal, but they will eventually begin to impact your day-to-day life. We can keep abreast of the situation during your regular exams, but it’s important to be vigilant in your own normal routine as well. If you begin to notice the following signs, it might be time to begin considering cataract surgery.
Blurry Vision: The most well-known effect of cataracts is a decrease in your vision. As a cataract develops, it becomes larger and more opaque; this blocks light from entering your eye and causes your vision to become blurry. This usually happens gradually over time, so that the change is barely noticeable; it’s important to pay attention to your vision and give our office a call if you are experiencing difficulties.
Difficulty in Dim Light: The effects of cataracts typically begin to become more obvious at night, when the light is lower. This can make activities such as reading, sewing, or night driving more difficult. While some of these difficulties can be solved by increasing the power of your source light, night driving can become increasingly dangerous if you have cataracts.
Light Sensitivity: Certain kinds of cataracts might cause light to become scattered when it hits your eyes. When light is not focused properly on your retina, it can cause painful glare. If you begin to experience this issue, give our office a call for an evaluation.
Halos: You might begin to notice a ring of light around fixed light sources, such as the headlights of cars in oncoming traffic. This can be a distracting side effect if you’re trying to drive at night.
Color Changes: Cataracts will turn a yellowish brown color as time passes. This coloration can actually pass through the cataract and change the color of your vision. If you notice that your vision is becoming muddy or colors are beginning to look faded, it might be time for cataract surgery.
Double Vision: At some point, you might begin noticing multiple images or a shadow behind images. This is a less common symptom of cataracts, but it can impact your daily routine significantly.
Frequent Prescription Changes: Cataracts can be managed for a time with prescription changes, but eventually the problem will need to be corrected with cataract surgery.
If you suspect that it might be time for cataract surgery, give our office a call. Our team will call you in for an evaluation and help you determine your next steps. With three convenient locations in Amherst, Williamsville, and Orchard Park, we are able to work with patients from throughout the greater Buffalo, NY area.