Cataracts Detroit, Michigan

What is a Cataract?

A cataract occurs when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing vision to blur over time. Cataracts naturally occur as we age and they affect many people over the age of 50.

In your eye, a lens is naturally positioned behind the colored part of the eye (the iris) to help focus light on the back of the eye. Cataracts occur when natural proteins build up over time. As this condition progresses, your lens will change from a clear “window” to a progressively clouded view as less light is allowed to filter through.

How Common are Cataracts?

Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision impairment in the United States. However because cataracts form slowly and over a long period of time, many people suffer from this condition without realizing it at the onset.

  • Cataracts currently affect more than 20.5 million Americans over the age of 40
  • By age 75, approximately half of all Americans have cataracts
  • By 2030, the number of Americans with cataracts is projected to rise from 20.5 million today to over 38 million

Data from National Eye Institute

What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

  • Cloudy or blurry vision
  • Trouble seeing at night
  • Light sensitivity or glare
  • Seeing “Halos” around lights
  • Fading or yellowing of color
  • Double vision
  • Glasses does seem to work as well as they used to
  • Increased need for light to read

What are the Risk Factors for Cataracts?

Cataracts occur naturally, often as a result of age, but certain lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors can put you at greater risk of developing cataracts.

  • Excessive exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light
  • Smoking or exposure to cigarette smoke
  • Myopia, or nearsightedness
  • Certain types of eye injuries
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Alcoholism
  • Steroid usage including pills, creams or nasal sprays

How are Cataracts Diagnosed?

A cataract can only be diagnosed by an eye doctor, which is one of the reasons it is important to have yearly comprehensive eye exams with an experienced ophthalmologist or optometrist. Annual eye exams are also critical to diagnose conditions such as glaucoma, retinal diseases, and other eye issues. Your eye doctor at Fraser Eye Care Center will utilize a variety of tests and advanced tools to evaluate your vision and eye health.

How are Cataracts Treated?

Cataracts can only be removed with surgery. Fortunately, advancements in technology have made cataract surgery one of the safest and most common surgical procedures performed in the United States.

Cataract Surgery Options

While surgery is the only method to effectively treat cataracts, there are several options when it comes to cataract surgery. A standard, or traditional, cataract surgery will remove the cataract, but patients may still need corrective eyewear for clear vision. At Fraser Eye Care Center, we also offer custom bladeless laser cataract surgery. Custom laser surgery can be performed with advanced lenses that can correct for near distance, far distance, presbyopia, and astigmatism. Learn More About Cataract Surgery and Recovery.

Contact the Cataract Specialists at Fraser Eye Care Center

The vision care professionals and cataract surgery specialists at Fraser Eye Care Center are dedicated to providing patients in Detroit and throughout Michigan with compassionate care and effective treatment. Contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment at one of our four convenient locations in Michigan.

The Fraser Eye Care Center Doctors have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.

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