Did you know that cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over 40? Cataracts usually occur as people age; however, there are various other factors that can also contribute to the development of cataracts. Here are a few reasons why cataracts occur and what you can do to eliminate them.
What causes cataracts?
There are various reasons that lead to cataracts occurring. A common cause is aging. As you get older, you naturally develop cataracts. It can be compared to greying hair. It usually occurs with age and cannot be prevented.
People also develop cataracts due to diseases such as diabetes, as well as personal habits or lifestyle choices such as excessive exposure to UV and smoking.
There are currently more than 2.5 million people in Canada living with cataracts. More than 350,000 cataract eye surgeries are performed annually. Cataracts are the second leading cause of blindness in Canada.
How to eliminate cataracts
Shakespeare said that the eyes are the windows to your soul. As your trusted surgical centre, we can confirm that your eyes are also the windows to your health. It is recommended that you get your eye exam done regularly. Adults between the ages of 20 – 39 should have a complete eye exam every two to three years. Those between the ages of 40 – 64 should have their eyes checked every year.
Individuals should have their eyes checked more often if they:
- Wear prescription contact lenses or glasses
- Take medication that can cause vision-related side effects
- Have a family history of eye disease
- Have diabetes or high blood pressure
- Have had previous eye surgery or injury
Getting regular eye exams has meant that people are now getting cataract surgery procedures performed much earlier. The current cataract surgery fixes problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The cataract lens implant allows individuals to be free of wearing contact lenses and glasses, making their day-to-day lives much easier.
What does cataract surgery entail?
The surgery procedure is extremely quick and very commonly performed. Topical anesthesia is used, and cataract eye surgery is pain-free and quick. It only takes about 30-45 minutes and is an outpatient procedure.
Schedule an appointment today
Do you have questions about what eye surgery procedure best suits your situation? At BoydVision, we can help you decide the best solutions for your eye health. Contact BoydVision to book your cataract eye surgery consultation today, and our friendly staff will be happy to help!