Cataracts – Ashburn Eyecare Associates

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Cataracts & Your Eyes

People are often surprised to hear that the formation of cataracts is a natural part of the eye’s aging process. In fact, they are extremely common: most people will get cataracts at some point after the age of 60.

The good news is they are relatively painless and curable via simply surgery. Book an appointment today, our optometry team can help.

What Are Cataracts & How Do They Form?

Cataracts form when the lens in our eye starts to age, over time becoming thick, less flexible, and less transparent. Eventually, the tissues in the lens start to break down and clump together, resulting in cloudy areas and opaque spots.

Though they are painless, cataracts can obscure your vision and make it difficult to perform daily tasks. Luckily, cataracts are one of the only treatable eye diseases and cured via simple surgery.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Hazy or blurry vision
Reduced color vision
Increased glare, especially while driving at night
Sensitivity to light

Risk Factors

Aging
Diabetes
Genetics and family history
Smoking and excessive alcohol use
Obesity
Overexposure to UVA and UVB rays

Treatment

Cataract are treated via outpatient surgery, using a local anesthetic. It is a quick and pain-free procedure that involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (also called an IOL).

This lens will remain a permanent part of your eye and functions as your natural lens would. If you have cataracts in both eyes, the surgeon will perform two separate surgeries: one for each eye. This ensures one eye is healed and recovering properly before correcting the other eye.

Our Services

Diagnosis, Treatment and Management of Eye Diseases

Our Reviews

I have been trusting this practice with my eye care for nearly 20 years. Dr. Joedicke is the best.

Nerissa

Dr. Slavin is the best. Very thorough. Everyone is very efficient and conscientious of time.

Donna

My wife, son and I all have our eyes examined by Dr. Allen and couldn’t be happier. We have used other doctors in the past and since switching several years ago have been very pleased with the entire staff. Friendly and caring. Great selection of frames.