Cataracts Explained in Massachusetts & Rhode Island

The lens of a healthy eye is clear, but one with cataracts is clouded, causing vision impairment and potential vision loss in many people over 40 years of age. Cataracts are very prevalent but tend to develop slowly, sometimes going undetected at first. Eye Health Vision Centers is equipped to detect and treat cataracts in the earliest stages so you never have to deal with the complications. Our skilled ophthalmologists are also experienced in the treatment of advanced cataracts and offer nonsurgical and surgical options to treat the condition. Whether you believe you may be suffering from cataracts or have already received a diagnosis, contact one of our greater South Coast-area facilities today to learn how we can help you improve your quality of life while dealing with cataracts. We offer comprehensive cataract evaluations at our Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Fall River, and Taunton, MA and Middletown, RI offices.

Cataracts do not cause any pain or produce any uncomfortable symptoms, but they do obscure your vision by restricting the amount of light that can enter your eye. Cataracts typically begin to form when a patient is 40 – 50 years old, but they may not affect their vision until they are over 60 years of age. At this time, you may notice your vision becoming progressively more blurred with little help from contacts or prescription eyeglasses. Other vision-related symptoms include poor night vision, unusual glare or halos, and seeing objects with a brownish tint. Patients with any of these symptoms should schedule an appointment with Eye Vision Health Centers at their earliest convenience.

While cataracts are a naturally occurring condition that happens with age, there are some factors that can increase the risk of developing them. Lifestyle factors, like smoking, drinking (excessive consumption), and heavy sun exposure, have been linked to cataracts as have medical conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. Unpreventable factors that can causes cataracts include:

• A family history of the condition
• Degenerative myopia
• Trauma to the eye
• Previous eye surgery

After an exam to confirm the diagnosis, a member of the Eye Health Vision Centers team will begin to discuss your options for treatment. In the early stages, patients often see improved vision with prescription eyeglasses. However, patients with more advanced cataracts who have difficulty reading or driving may need more aggressive forms of therapy. Our team is proud to offer many innovative solutions for contacts, including cataract lens options and laser and traditional cataract surgeries.

When your vision begins clouding, schedule an eye exam at Eye Health Vision Centers in the greater South Coast area to check for cataracts. With a proper diagnosis, our team can recommend a treatment plan that will help you to see more clearly and live life to the fullest. Contact our helpful team to schedule your consultation or eye exam today.