Clear the Clouds with Stanislaus Optometric Center, Inc.
Cataracts are the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. Cataracts can happen at any age, but most commonly occur as part of the natural aging process after age 50, and affect more than half of all Americans over 80.
Cataracts develop slowly and are manageable with eyeglasses or contact lenses in their early stages, but may require surgery if they impact your quality of life.
Symptoms of Cataracts
You may not notice symptoms if your cataracts are mild. But as they grow, your vision may change, causing:
- Blurred or foggy vision
- Faded or dull colors
- Decreased night vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Halos around lights
- Double vision
- Frequent prescription changes
What Causes Cataracts?
Most cataracts are caused by normal changes to the eyes associated with age. They occur when the proteins in your eye’s lens build up and clump together. There are many different types of cataracts that occur for various reasons:
- Age-related cataracts develop naturally with age.
- Pediatric cataracts occur in children and develop in the womb or early childhood.
- Radiation cataracts occur from exposure to UV radiation.
- Secondary cataracts may occur after cataract surgery. Although they’re not technically cataracts, they come with similar vision problems.
- Traumatic cataracts result from injuries to the eye.
Who Is At Risk?
Your risk for cataracts increases as you get older. But you may be at a higher risk of developing them earlier in life if you:
- Have certain health problems, like diabetes
- Smoke
- Drink excessive amounts of alcohol
- Have a family history of cataracts
- Have had an eye injury, eye surgery, or radiation treatment on your upper body
- Have spent a lot of time in the sun
- Take steroids
How to Prevent Cataracts
There’s no known way to prevent or slow cataracts, but there may be ways to reduce your chance of developing them:
- Undergo regular eye exams. Eye exams are crucial for detecting cataracts and other eye diseases in their early stages.
- Quit smoking.
- Manage health problems that put your eyes at risk, like diabetes.
- Choose an eye-friendly diet that includes fruits and vegetables. Adding certain nutrients and antioxidants to your diet can help preserve your vision.
- Wear sunglasses when outdoors or protective eyewear at work. Ultraviolet light may contribute to the development of cataracts.
- Reduce your alcohol use. Excessive alcohol use can increase the risk of cataracts.
Regular Eye Exams Protect Your Sight
Ultimately, it’s important to undergo regular eye exams to monitor for conditions like cataracts, but also glaucoma and other health problems, like diabetes. Please book your appointment for a comprehensive eye exam at Stanislaus Optometric Center, Inc. We’re excited to help protect your eyes!
Our Location
Find us at 4028 Dale Road, right next to Dale Family Dental and Opti Physical Therapy.
Where to Park?
We have a large parking lot with ample free parking.
Our Address
4028 Dale Road #102Modesto, CA 95356 9561
Contact Information
- Phone: (209) 527-2020
- Fax: (209) 527-5079
Hours of Operation
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Stanislaus Optometric Center, Inc.
- 4028 Dale Road #102
- Modesto, CA 95356 9561
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P: (209) 527-2020