Cataracts

What is a Cataract?

When your doctor tells you that you have a cataract it is understandable that you feel concerned. Any potential surgery involving the eye can certainly be anxiety provoking. We understand this and our highly trained and experienced staff will do everything to answer all of your questions and make sure your consultation is as informative and enjoyable as possible. Let us reassure you that a cataract is one of the most common problems that can affect vision. When you understand what a cataract is, how it will be removed, and most of all, the priceless rewards that cataract surgery can bring, you will likely feel significantly more comfortable with the upcoming procedure. After all, when the cataract is gone, your vision can be clearer, brighter, and sharper that it has been for a long, long time.

Anterior polar cataract

Anterior polar cataract

The simplest way to describe a cataract is that it is a clouding of the lens in your eye. The lens is located just behind the iris (the colored part of your eye) and works somewhat like the lens of a camera. It picks up images and focuses these images onto the retina at the back of your eye. When the lens becomes cloudy it keeps the light and images from getting through and clearly focusing on the retina. Therefore your vision will often appear blurry. Cataracts are mainly the result of aging and affect a high percentage of people over the age of 60. It is also possible to see cataracts in the younger population. They can also occur due to eye injury, diabetes, kidney disease, or from certain medications. By impairing the ability to see clearly, cataracts can greatly reduce your capacity to do the things you love to do.

Dr. Anderson's other websites

Impowerage.com

An online magazine for active older adults founded by Dr. Anderson to raise money for macular degeneration research.

Carolyn Anderson MD

Carolyn's blog and professional speaking topics. Carolyn offers coaching services to help others manage their energy and master their lives.