Diseases of the Eye
Cataracts
Cataracts are common in older adults and are the result of clouding of the lens of the eye. Over half of adults have either had cataract surgery or have a cataract by age 80.
Cataracts are not contagious. It cannot spread from eye to the other. Either eye or both of them can be affected by a cataract. Some patients do not realize they have cataracts until they see their eye doctor about progressive vision difficulties.
Heredity can make patients more prone to developing cataracts, but they can also develop due to injury or aging. Long-term use of steroids, past eye surgeries, or diabetes can also cause cataracts.
New glasses, magnifying glasses, brighter lights, and anti-glare sunglasses outside will initially help improve cataract symptoms, but impaired vision typically progresses to interfere with daily activities. Surgery is then required. Cataract surgery is done an estimated 50 million times each year. It is safe and effective, providing considerable improvement in vision. It is performed in same-day surgery.
Call Albright Eyecare today to be examined if you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:
Fading colors
Blurry, dim, or clouded vision
Sensitivity to light
Seeing halos around lights
Glare off headlights or lamps
Worsening vision at night
Sunlight seeing too bright
Frequent eye prescription changes
Macular Degeneration
AMD is age-related macular degeneration, and it affects over 10 million people in the United States. It is the leading cause of vision loss, more than cataracts and glaucoma combined.
Macular degeneration is the deterioration of the macula (the central part of the retina). The retina is the inner back layer of the eye and gathers the images we see. It then sends the images to the brain through the optic nerve. The macula controls all central vision and is imperative for reading, driving, identifying faces, seeing colors, and seeing fine details.
Macular degeneration is incurable. Some treatments can help delay the progression and possibly improve some vision.
There are two types of macular degeneration, wet (exudative) or dry (atrophic). Dry AMD is the most common type in 85% to 90% of diagnosed patients. Wet AMD comprises the other 10% to 15%.
Dry AMD is the early stage, usually resulting from aging and macular tissues thinning or pigment deposits in the macula (or a little of both). Dry AMD can cause a gradual central vision loss.
Wet AMD is caused by new blood vessels growing beneath the retina and leaking blood and fluid. The leaking fluid kills light-sensitive retinal cells, which leaves permanent blind spots in the central vision. This vision is not recoverable.
