Cataract Diagnosis and Co-Management at Austin Vision Center

Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss seen in people in their 60s and older. This clouding of the natural lens in the eye is the single most prevalent cause of blindness worldwide and is typically caused by the normal aging process in the eye.  But you don't have to let cataracts steal your vision away -- because here at Austin Vision Center, your optometrists, Dr's. Hutson, Pham, and Tomeff, can provide proper cataract diagnosis and surgical co-management to keep you seeing well.  Development of cataracts typically occurs over a number of years and nearly all patients are astounded how much clearer their vision is following their cataract surgery.

Causes & Symptoms of Cataracts Seen by Your Austin Optometrist

A cataract occurs when proteins in the lens (which are normally arranged to let light pass through) start clumping together. Age-related nuclear cataracts cloud the front and center of the lens. Subcapsular cataracts, which occur toward the rear of the lens, are usually associated with use of steroids or diabetes. Cortical cataracts develop at the outer zone of the lens, creating spoke-like patterns; they too are associated with diabetes. All types of cataracts can be greatly worsened by needless exposure to UV rays.

Cataracts can interfere with your vision in a variety of ways. Symptoms of cataracts include:

• Low or reduced vision (especially night vision)
• Apparent dulling of certain colors, especially blue, as if viewing the world through a yellowish filter
• Starburst or halo patterns around bright light such as street lamps and car  headlights, which can making driving difficult or dangerous
• Increasing glare sensitivity
• Blurred vision

One odd effect is that people with poor near vision can temporarily develop "second sight," or improved clarity in this distance range, before their vision takes a turn for the worse.

How Austin Vision Center Can Help With Cataracts

While there is currently no cure for cataracts, the good news is that your Austin optometrist at our eye care center can provide supportive cataract treatment until such time as they might need to be removed. We can detect the earliest traces of cataracts through a comprehensive eye exam that includes ophthalmoscopy and slit lamp testing, a method for viewing the front of the eye under illumination. At that point we will recommend that you continue to receive annual exams so we can monitor your cataracts' progress, adjusting your corrective lens prescription to compensate for blurred vision. If medications or underlying diseases are causing your cataracts, your Austin optometrist will recommend that you address those issues. We can also equip you with sunglasses that block all UV rays.

If your eyesight deteriorates beyond our ability to compensate, your cataracts can be completely removed and replaced with crystal-clear artificial lenses via a quick, painless laser surgery. Your optometrist in Austin will refer you to a skilled eye surgeon while handling the pre-operative and post-operative eye care.

Call  Austin Vision Center Today

Whether you're worried about possible symptoms of cataracts or you just want to keep on top of your ocular health, call your Austin Vision Center to schedule a comprehensive eye exam and vision testing.  We can help you stay one step ahead of cataracts!