Cataract development is a common condition that affects over 24 million Americans. Cataracts cause the normally clear lens of the eye to become cloudy, impacting your ability to see.
Life with cataracts can be challenging but it’s not impossible. Here are four tips for managing your daily life with cataracts:
Improve the lighting in your home
Cataracts can make your vision blurry or cause colors to seem duller. Many patients say it’s almost like they are looking through a piece of glass.
One easy improvement you can make is by getting better lighting in your home. Of course, this won’t fix the problem but it could make it a little easier for you to see.
Arrange for family or friends to drive you to activities
Many cataracts patients find that their condition affects their ability to drive. Your cataracts can cause halos to appear around street lamps, making it difficult to see at night.
You may want to see if you have friends or family members who can drive you to your activities for a period of time. This loss of independence is difficult for most people but your safety is the most important thing.
Look into getting a stronger prescription
Make sure you have the most accurate glasses prescription possible. Cataract patients often find that they need a stronger prescription.
Consider getting cataract surgery
The three solutions listed above can be helpful but ultimately, none of those will fix the underlying problem. As your cataracts progress your vision will only continue to deteriorate. At some point, it will be time for you to consider cataract surgery.
The idea of surgery is scary for most people but cataract surgery is an incredibly safe procedure. Both the surgery and the recovery time and pretty short. Most patients see a dramatic improvement in their vision immediately following surgery.
To learn more about managing your life with cataracts or cataract surgery, schedule your cataract appointment with Dr. Ellis at one of our many California locations in San Francisco, Walnut Creek, and San Jose today.
