By the time Americans reach the age of 80, half have either undergone surgery to correct cataracts or have some degree of cataracts. In other words, as you get older, cataracts are a very real concern. To help you with early detection and treatment, Dr. Kevin Gunnerson offers comprehensive cataracts care at his practice in Moberly, Missouri. To get a jump on the development of cataracts, call the office or use the online scheduler to book an appointment.
Cataracts cause gradual clouding of the lenses on your eyes, typically both at the same time. Your outer eye is made up of your:
All of these components take in light from the outside, filter it, and refract it onto your retina, which then sends the information through your optic nerve to your brain, giving you an image.
A cataract develops on your lens, distorting the light your eye takes in, affecting how your eye processes the information and “sees.” If you think of it like the lens on a camera, you can see how interference on your camera lens affects your final picture -- and the same is true with cataracts. If your camera has a dirty lens, your picture comes out blurry or cloudy, which is what your own lenses are doing to your vision.
Most cataracts are age-related, though some people may be more genetically-inclined toward the condition. Cataracts typically develop slowly, which means there’s much that Dr. Gunnerson can do along the way to help preserve your vision.
Most people don’t notice their cataracts at first. Over time, the clouding expands, which leads to:
At the first sign of any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to get in to see Dr. Gunnerson and his team to find out about your treatment options.
It’s worth noting up front that cataracts can’t be cured. There is, however, much that Dr. Gunnerson can do at every stage of its development.
During the early stages, he prescribes corrective lenses to offset the effects of cataracts. While this option proves very useful for most patients, your cataracts may develop beyond what eyeglasses can remedy.
In these instances, Dr. Gunnerson recommends cataract surgery. This type of surgery is very common, and more importantly, very successful. During the procedure, the doctor removes your clouded lenses and replaces them with artificial ones, allowing you to see clearly again.
To stay one step ahead of cataracts, call Dr. Kevin Gunnerson, or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment.
