Cataracts in Winnipeg

Although typically associated with aging, cataracts can also be caused by traumatic injury and radiation exposure. They may also be present from birth or develop after eye surgery. Several risk factors can increase your chances of developing cataracts, including:

• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Prolonged exposure to sunlight
• Excessive alcohol intake

Cataracts are essentially proteins that build up in the eye’s lens, making your vision cloudy as the cataract diffuses light as it enters the retina. As new cells form on the lens, the cataract grows. Cataracts will continue to get thicker and impair vision over time until they are treated.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, talk to your optometrist about cataract treatments:

• Nearsightedness that becomes more severe over time
• Changes in the way you see colour
• Increasingly cloudy or foggy vision
• Decreased ability to drive at night due to glare from oncoming traffic
• Double vision
• Dramatic changes in your corrective lens prescription

The best way to treat cataracts is to detect them early. Using new corrective lenses and changing your lighting at home can offset most mild symptoms.

If your cataracts have progressed to the point where they impair your vision during daily activities, surgery may be necessary to restore your quality of life. Cataract surgery is generally a simple and relatively comfortable process for people who qualify. If you need cataract surgery, Henderson Vision Centre will refer you to an opthalmologist.