Busted! Don’t Believe These Cataracts Myths!
An optometrist is an eye care professional who has earned a degree in Optometry. Optometrists examine eyes for vision and health problems and correct refractive errors by prescribing glasses and contact lenses. Some optometrists also provide low vision care and vision therapy to help clients deal with sight issues.
While the essential nature of Optometry cannot be understated, myths can confuse and lead to delays in treatment that can have a negative effect in the long run. For example, the misconception that cataracts are exclusively an age-related problem and that cataracts can grow back results in people waiting too long before seeking treatment, and some even forgoing treatment altogether.
To help you steer clear of these misconceptions, Doctors Eyecare Wetaskiwin. has debunked some of the most widely believed myths about cataracts and the treatment of this condition.
Myth 1: Cataracts are just a part of aging, and there is nothing you can do about them
Although cataracts usually occur at old age, they can also occur at any age. It can be congenital, occur at birth, or can occur due to genetic predisposition. Cataracts can also be caused by smoking, eye injury, and certain conditions such as nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, stress, hypertension, and glaucoma.
Myth 2: Lifestyle choices do not increase the risk of cataracts
This is an obvious misconception as smoking, and excessive sunlight increases the risk of developing cataracts. Excessive alcohol use can also increase your chance of developing cataracts; hence you should quit smoking and wear UV-blocking sunglasses outdoors to reduce your risk of cataracts and drink alcohol in moderation. Similarly, choosing a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and antioxidants which help maintain eye health, is the best way to slow down the aging process. Yearly eye examinations help detect cataracts and other eye problems at their earliest stages ensures early treatment, which is usually more straightforward, less invasive, and more effective.
Myth 3: Cataracts cannot be treated
A cataract is a film that grows over the eye and can be treated with drops. A cataract occurs when the natural lens inside your eye becomes cloudy over time. Cataracts are inevitable due to aging but are easily removed with surgery. Additionally, cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgery globally and is considered one of the safest.
Myth 4: A cataract can grow back after surgery
No, cataracts do not grow back. When the cataract is removed, it is replaced with an artificial lens implant. Occasionally, epithelial cells can grow on the lens capsule that holds the new lens implant. This can result in cloudy vision after cataract surgery, but these cells are easily removed with a laser procedure, restoring clear vision.
If you’re looking to steer clear of these myths, reach out to Doctors Eyecare Wetaskiwin. As the best optometrist in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, our eye care clinic offers a full range of eye health services to patients of all ages, from children to seniors. Our routine eye exams and vision tests, eye disease diagnosis and management, immediate attention for eye emergencies, and complete eye health management are top-notch. We provide eyewear prescriptions, eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses. We also offer eye surgery consultations and co-management with ophthalmologists.
For a complete list of our services, please click here. If you have any questions about cataracts, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us here.