At Milwaukee Eye Surgeons in Brookfield, WI, renowned ophthalmologist and ophthalmic surgeon Kenneth Weinlander, MD, and our team provide comprehensive and convenient care for cataracts. Recognizing early symptoms can help you seek treatment sooner, preserving your vision and quality of life.
Understanding Cataracts: How They Happen
Cataracts cloud the natural lens in your eye. Usually, they develop due to the natural aging process in which proteins within the eye lens begin breaking down. As this happens, the proteins clump, creating the lens clouding.
Cataracts are extremely common, usually starting to develop in middle age but not typically revealing symptoms until the sixth decade of life or later. By age 80, over 50% of Americans have cataracts that may significantly affect their vision and ability to perform everyday tasks.
Some common cataract risk factors include UV exposure, smoking, diabetes, and long-term use of certain medications.
Knowing your risk factors and recognizing the earlier signs of cataracts can ensure you receive timely care and maintain your quality of life.
Early Signs of Cataracts
As mentioned above, cataract symptoms don’t usually appear until cataracts are already significant. But, even when signs first appear, many people mistake them for other issues. Here are five common early indicators of cataracts:
- Blurred or Cloudy Vision: You may notice your vision becoming less sharp or clear, like looking through a foggy window.
- Increased Sensitivity to Light: Bright lights, including sunlight or headlights at night, may feel uncomfortable.
- Difficulty Seeing at Night: You might struggle with night vision, like seeing glare and halos around lights when driving.
- Faded or Yellowed Colors: Colors may look dull, faded, or yellowish.
- Frequent Changes in Prescription Glasses: Vision instability (frequent vision prescription changes) could point to cataracts.
Identifying cataracts early allows for prompt treatment, preventing further vision impairment. We perform general eye exams at Milwaukee Eye Surgeons, including cataract screening. This allows Dr. Weinlander to identify cataracts long before you experience symptoms, so keeping up with exams at the recommended intervals is crucial to your long-term eye health.
What if I Already Have Severe Cataracts?
If your cataract symptoms have already progressed to seriously affect your quality of life, we have your needs covered. Modern cataract surgery is safe, effective, and can restore clear vision. Often, patients can leave glasses behind or have a reduced need for vision correction afterward.
At Milwaukee Eye Surgeons, Dr. Weinlander performs cataract surgery conveniently in our state-of-the-art office. This creates comfortable experiences with a more personalized approach than hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities can offer. Plus, it’s more cost effective!
Cataract Surgery in Brookfield, WI
Milwaukee Eye Surgeons provides comprehensive care for cataracts from providers you can trust. Call our office at 414-377-5550 to schedule your consultation in Brookfield today.
