The Importance of Early Detection and Treatment of Cataracts

Pre-emptive action is of the utmost importance in all domains of health, and it's no different when it comes to ocular wellness. By being proactive about seeing us for regular consultations or eye exams, you can help yourself enjoy an optimal outcome in the greater Chicago area.

One of the biggest global threats to vision is the age-related disorder known as cataracts. It is an all-too-common disorder that gradually steals one's sight and can cause total blindness if left to its own devices.

Fortunately, the treatment options for cataracts are effective, safe, convenient, and extensively time-tested. To potentially avoid complications and enjoy an ideal outcome, contact us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Daniel Tepper at Wickerpark Eye Center.

The importance of early detection and treatment for cataracts

Early detection and diagnosis are essential factors for any eye disorder, as taking charge of the situation allows us to craft the most effective treatments based on your unique needs. And early detection is made possible through our comprehensive eye exams, making it vital to stay vigilant about scheduling routine check-ups. In the case of cataracts, this vision-stealing disorder generally begins manifesting in a patient's 40s due to the degeneration of the proteins in the lens of the eye.

The lens of the eye is normally clear and needs to retain its transparency to let light pass to the photoreceptive retina at the eye's rear. But as the proteins in the lens begin to break down due to age-related processes, these proteins also bunch together into cloudy clumps. As the lens becomes cloudier, vision loss occurs, and patients lose more and more of their eyesight. If treatment is not sought, total blindness can eventually result — and, unfortunately, cataracts are the most common cause of blindness across the world.

What are the treatment options for cataracts?

Yet, this age-related ocular disorder is also very treatable, and your optimal treatment plan begins with detection and diagnosis. The earlier you get checked out, the better your overall outcome may be. One strategy we can utilize revolves around lifestyle modifications that can slow the advance of cataracts. Even though this condition cannot be prevented, stopped, or reversed, multiple factors can slow down the clouding of the lens.

And many patients can help themselves by engaging in healthier behaviors, such as avoiding smoking, eating the right foods, getting regular exercise, and avoiding excessive UV exposure, among other precautions. Additionally, the onset of cataracts may take a decade or more; even though cataracts may begin forming in one's 40s, they may not produce significant sight-stealing effects until a patient is older, possibly in their 60s.

As such, we can begin with vision correction plans as early as one's sight begins to deteriorate. Eyeglasses or other visual aids may be sufficient during the earlier stages of formation, but eventually, it may be necessary to undergo cataract surgery. Cataract surgery utilizes a state-of-the-art, computer-guided laser to remove cataracts and the cloudy lens. We then replace your natural (but clouded) lens with a synthetic, medical-grade intraocular lens, or IOL.

Help yourself achieve a better vision in Chicago through early detection and treatment

Early detection and treatment are among the best things you can do for your overall and eye health. The quicker you see us at our modern Chicago-based practice, the quicker we can help you see the world clearly again and reap the benefits of good vision.

So, if you're experiencing the vision-disrupting effects of cataracts or have any concerns, get in touch with our expert staff at Wickerpark Eye Center and schedule a consultation with Dr. Daniel Tepper in Chicago.