One in six Americans aged 65 and older have a vision impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. To bring attention to taking care of our eyes as we age, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Griffin Eye Center celebrates Healthy Aging Month to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of vision loss – and steps to help seniors take care of their sight.
The greatest risk factor for cataracts is simply getting older. The eye’s lens is made up of water and proteins, and over time those proteins begin to clump together, leading to the blurry and fuzzy vision of cataracts. You can change your eye glass prescription only so much, but the only way to cure the cataract is with surgery. This procedure involves removing the cloudy lens from the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens.
Here are common symptoms of cataracts:
Blurred Vision- Can happen with objects close-up or at a distance.
Seeing Halos around Lights– Halos are bright circles that surround a light source, like headlights. While glare is light that enters the eye and interferes with your vision.
Frequent changes to eyeglasses prescription- You may find that one prescription is not best and you frequently squint.
Poor night Vision- You may also have sensitivity to light and trouble seeing in poorly lit places.
Faded or dull colors- With age we lose the ability to clearly distinguish certain colors, cataract surgery can make major difference because it replaces lenses in the eyes, clearing away the yellowish film.
Griffin Eye Center, Ophthalmic Surgeon, Neil B. Griffin, M.D., is a cataract, cornea, and LASIK specialist. He is committed to providing world class surgical technology and the most advanced vision diagnostics to the North and South Carolina areas. Patient care and education is our practice number one priority.
The National Consumer Advisory Board named Dr. Griffin one of America’s Best Physicians 2021-2024. He has also received over 29 local distinctions, including “Best LASIK Surgeon”, “Best Cataract Surgeon” and “Best Ophthalmologist” from 2018-2024. He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and fellow-ship trained.
If you think you may have cataracts or want further information visit www.griffineyecenter.com.