Cataract Treatment Serving Flintridge California

Cataracts – Flintridge

The eye uses a transparent lens to focus light onto the retina, allowing the eye to see clearly. Over time, the lens can become cloudy and its transparency is reduced. This is a cataract, and it results in blurred vision, as light must first pass through the clouded lens to reach the retina.

Symptoms

With cataracts, vision loss occurs gradually because the condition is slow to develop. Symptoms are relatively mild to begin with, but as time passes they include things like blurry vision, increased headlight glare, double vision, halos around lights, and problems driving at night. You might also find yourself needing more light in order to read, even with glasses. If any of these symptoms apply to you, it might be a good time to schedule an eye exam. Our vision center in Flintridge offers exams and eye care for cataracts, and we provide monofocal and multifocal options for intraocular lenses during surgeries.

Causes and Risk Factors

Generally speaking, cataracts develop naturally as the lens ages. There are some factors that increase your risk, however, such as excessive exposure to the sun or ultraviolet light, as well as cigarette smoking. You may also be at an increased risk for cataracts if you are on certain medications, have had trauma to the eye, or have diabetes or other illnesses. If any of these risk factors apply to you or someone you know, contact SoCal Vision in Flintridge to learn more about eye care for cataracts and to get treatment recommendations.

How Are Cataracts Detected?

To find out whether you have cataracts, you need a comprehensive eye exam, like the ones we offer at our Flintridge vision center. Sometimes, symptoms might be alleviated by simply changing your glasses, but if the cataracts are severe, we will need to surgically remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one.

What is cataract surgery?

Today’s cataract removal procedures are safe and effective, thanks to modern surgery techniques. The procedure begins with making an incision that measures only a few millimeters. We then insert a small instrument through this tiny incision that will break the cataract into pieces. Then, we attach a brand-new lens. This technique allows for faster recovery time, reduces the need for glasses after the surgery, and comes with a lower risk of infections afterward. There are no stitches required for this surgery, either. The experts at our Flintridge vision center are ready to help you determine whether cataract surgery is the best option for you.

Lens options: What type of lens implants should you opt for at the time of cataract surgery?

Today, patients have two options for lens implants in cataract surgery: a monofocal lens for seeing at one distance only, or a multifocal (premium) lens, which allows you to see at three distances—near, far, and intermediate. We will help you determine which type of lens implant would work best for you during your cataract consultation. Among the premium lens options at SoCal Vision in Flintridge are the PanOptix lens, the Acrysof Restor, and the Tecnis Multifocal IOL. These multifocal lenses give you plenty of options when it comes to choosing your modes of vision after cataract surgery.

Contact Socal Vision Center

If you have any questions about eye exams, eye care, cataracts, treatment options, or replacement lenses, please call our Flintridge office at 818-409-1777 or click here to make an appointment.