Cataract Care
Cataracts Care in Lebanon County, PA
Cataracts are a common part of aging, developing in the eyes of more than half of all Americans by age 80. But cataracts don’t have to detract from your enjoyment of your later years of life. At the offices of David L. Streisfeld M.D., P.C. in Lebanon County, PA, our team is skilled at handling cataract care and treatment, helping you with everything from eyeglasses to help compensate for the haziness to cataract surgery to remove the cataract. We’ll be clear and upfront with you about your treatment options along the way, helping you get the care you deserve.
What Are Cataracts?
A cataract is a cloudiness that develops in the lens of the eye and can affect vision, making it hazy or cloudy. They develop from the clumping together of proteins in the eye, starting to cloud the lens and leading to blurred vision or a brownish tint. Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes, sometimes with minimal effect on your vision, other times with more severe impairment. Although age is one of the primary risk factors for cataracts, certain diseases like diabetes and personal habits like smoking and alcohol use can increase your chance of developing a cataract. Wearing sunglasses, quitting smoking, and leading a healthy life can help protect against these risk factors.
Detecting a Cataract
Cataracts are detected through comprehensive eye exams, either at your routine check-up or if you notice clouding in your vision. We will conduct a visual acuity test, dilated eye exam, and eye pressure test during a comprehensive eye exam to detect the cataract. If you notice cloudy vision, glare from lights, poor night vision, double vision, or other vision problems, you should schedule an eye exam as soon as possible to determine the source of the problem.
Cataracts Care and Treatment
If you do have one or more cataracts, there is a wide range of cataract care and treatment options. Dr. David L. Streisfeld specializes in cataract care, providing assistance with everything from changes in your environment to cataract surgery. Before pursuing surgery, there are many steps that can be taken to treat the symptoms of cataracts. New eyeglasses, magnifying lenses, anti-glare sunglasses, or brighter lighting can all help counteract the blurriness caused by the cataract. If a cataract is interfering with your everyday activities, however, you may want to consider cataract surgery.
Cataract removal is one of the safest and most effective types of surgery, with about 90 percent of those treated experiencing better vision following surgery. If you have reached the stage where you can’t drive, read, or watch TV due to cataracts, Dr. Streisfeld can consult with you about your options for cataract surgery. The operation lasts approximately an hour and involves little to no pain. Most patients see positive outcomes within a few weeks, and healing is typically complete within two months of surgery.