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1. You can prevent cataracts.
A) False. Cataracts are a natural clouding of the lenses in your eyes, and while you can reduce your risk for cataracts, there isn’t anything you can do stop this from happening. Roughly half of all Americans develop cataracts by age 80.
2. Close vision use like reading or sewing can make cataracts worse.
A) False. The way you use your eyes will do nothing to slow or speed the development of cataracts. However, if you find that you need more light than you used to for an activity like sewing, that could be a sign that you are developing cataracts.
3. Cataract surgery is safe and has a high success rate.
A) True. Cataract surgery has a 95% success rate and it is one of the safest and most perfected surgeries. You should always consult with your doctor about whether surgery is right for you, but cataract surgery is very safe. Roughly 3 million cataract removals take place every year in the United States, meaning it’s one of the most common surgeries in the country.
4. They’re annoying, but you can live normally with cataracts.
A) False. Cataracts will interfere with any activity that requires clear vision. Think about that for a moment. That means driving, reading, watching TV, knitting, and even being able to clearly see faces will all be problematic or impossible with cataracts. Delaying cataract surgery will end up changing your life dramatically over time.
5. Cataract surgery is a quick outpatient procedure.
A) True. You’ll probably spend about an hour in the post-op room after surgery, but you should be able to return to most normal activities the next day. Remember to have someone pick you up to take you home and get any prescriptions, as you probably won’t be able to drive right away. Your doctor can provide more information on recovery timetables and recommendations.
6. Cataract surgery can also end up correcting other vision problems.
A) True. It’s actually possible that your cataract surgery can address astigmatism and possibly reduce your dependency on glasses. That’s because during the procedure, your eye’s natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. With advanced technology, IOLs can help with astigmatism and other vision problems.
7. You can dissolve cataracts with eye drops.
A) False. Cataracts are not actually a substance, so they can’t be “dissolved” by any eye drops, regardless of what they claim. Cataracts are simply a clouding of your eye’s lens—there’s nothing eye drops can do about them.
Hopefully you’ve learned something from this little quiz, and you’ll be prepared to deal with cataracts should you develop them. And if you already have cataracts or think it might be time to see an eye doctor, then contact OCLI today to schedule a consultation. Don’t wait another day to get your vision back.
