Four years ago my doctor told me I had cataracts in both eyes. This was surprising news because I was not aware of the cataracts. I could still read small print, watch television, and drive at night. But when I had my last physical a few months ago my vision had changed. The symptoms of cataract were obvious and they affected my quality of life.
Cataract is the medical term for a cloudy eye lens. The lenses in my eyes had become very cloudy. It was hard for me to read emails in small print. The colors on my computer screen were not as bright as they used to be. Proof-reading manuscripts was a time-consuming challenge. These symptoms made writing harder. As for night driving, it was so scary I didn’t do it any more.
According to an article on the Mayo Clinic website, "Cataract Surgery," the symptoms of cataract include difficulties with cooking, shopping, yard work, and stairs. These tasks were not difficult for me, but reading was difficult because my contrast vision was poor. Glare was an ongoing problem. Light at the side of my eyes, such as a setting sun, made my vision worse. Why did it take me so long to recognize the symptoms of cataract?
For one thing, the cataracts developed very slowly. Laser surgery on both eyes for detaching retina was another reason. After this surgery the eye doctor told me I would always see flashing lights when I turned off house lights, passed street lights, or car lights. Unfortunately, I didn’t know that seeing halos around lights was a symptom of cataract. I thought the halos were due to laser surgery.
My eye glasses were not as helpful as they used to be. Often, I would think my glasses were dirty, take them off, and clean them, to no avail. If you are a senior citizen and if you are female, you need to know the symptoms of cataract. According to an article by Desai, Pratt, Lentzner and Robinson, "Trends in Vision and Hearing Among Older Americans, on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website, cataracts are most prevalent in older women.
If vision is really impaired, the article continues, you need to consider cataract surgery. "Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed in America, approximately 1.5 million a year," according to the authors. Ninety-five percent of the patients who have cataract surgery have improved vision. Vision affects everything you do and it is wise to have it checked regularly.
Knowing the symptoms of cataract helps your doctor to help you. See an eye doctor right away if you have any of the symptoms cited in this article. My vision was so impaired that I had cataract surgery on one eye and will soon have it on the other. The results are astonishing and I am living in a bright world again.
Author: Harriet Hodgson
Copyright 2009 by Harriet Hodgson http://www.harriethodgson.com
Harriet Hodgson has been an independent journalist for 30 years. She is a member of the American Association of Journalists and Authors, the Association of Health Care Journalists, and the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Centering Corporation in Omaha, Nebraska, — a well-known and respected grief resource center — has published her 26th book, "Writing to Recover: The Journey from Loss and Grief to a New Life." The company has also published the "Writing to Recover Journal," which contains 100 writing affirmations, and the "Writing to Recover Affirmations Calendar," a stunning collection of photos and life affirmations.
Please visit Harriet’s website and learn more about this busy author and grandmother.
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