Dr. Lan O’Donnell at the O’Donnell Eye Institute provides invaluable eye health services for Santa Rosa Beach, FL, including cataract care. Regular checkups with Dr. O’Donell will give you peace of mind that your eye health is in good shape or allow early detection if you have vision problems.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts are a disease of the eye. They form when the proteins that make up your eye lens break down. This protein breakdown leads to cloudy patches on the lens that affect your eyesight. There are four main types of cataracts:
- Age-related cataracts and these are the most common.
- Congenital cataracts in infants and children.
- Trauma-related cataracts
- Secondary cataracts develop due to other illnesses.
Cataracts can develop on any part of the lens, but in the center of the eye is the most common, called a nuclear cataract.
Noticeable Symptoms of Cataracts
Patients over 40 should visit a healthcare professional like Dr. O’Donnell at the O’Donnell Eye Institute, who can check patients from the Santa Rosa Beach, FL community for cataracts and other eye-related illnesses. The symptoms you should look out for include:
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Poor night vision
- Double vision
- Distortion of your vision
- Lights that appear to have halos or seem too bright
- Muted colors
- Changing the prescription of your glasses frequently
Our vision is vital, so it is important to go for regular checkups if you have concerns about your or a family member’s sight.
Preventing Cataracts
While some patients may have a genetic predisposition to cataracts or are likely to develop them due to preexisting medical conditions, you can reduce the risk of developing cataracts by implementing small changes, including:
- Incorporating fruits and vegetables into your diet that are high in antioxidants.
- Wearing sunglasses that effectively protect your eyes from the sun.
- Quit smoking.
Cataract Treatment
If you have been diagnosed with cataracts, you may initially need a change in your eyeglass prescription. You can support better vision by working in well-lit areas and protecting your eyes from bright sunlight when you are outside. Ultimately, the only way to treat cataracts is to remove them via surgery by replacing your cloudy eye lens with an artificial lens.
Surgery is usually recommended when the cataracts affect your quality of life and everyday routine. It is a very safe surgery; most patients report better vision after this treatment.
Contact Us
For better eye health, including cataract checkups in Santa Rosa Beach, FL, please contact Dr. O’Donnell and her team at the O’Donnell Eye Institute to book a consultation or an eye exam. Call us today at (850) 622-4000.