Learn More About Cataract Surgery
Are you experiencing night driving problems? Are colors fading? If you are over the age of 50 years old you may be experiencing the onset of cataracts. Our doctors are skilled board certified cataract surgeons located in Portland, Maine. Our doctors take great pride in educating patients about their best options for success after cataract surgery. Please feel free to review our website to learn about new technology lens implants.
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If you are seeking LASIK in Portland, Maine we are happy to help you learn about LASIK and your candidacy potential for this eye surgery. Please feel free to take our short LASIK self-evaluation test to get on the path to better vision. After taking this test you will be contacted by Maine Eye Center if you meet the pre-requisite requirements. All LASIK candidates will be required to undergo a pre-operative eye exam before candidacy is approved.
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Cataracts
A cataract is a slow, progressive clouding of the eye's natural lens. It interferes with light passing through the eye to the retina. Cataracts are caused by a change in the proteins of the eye, which causes clouding or discoloration of the lens. Over time cataracts typically result in blurred or fuzzy vision and sensitivity to light.
People with progressed cataracts often describe the sensation as looking through a piece of wax paper. A cataract may make light from the sun or a lamp seem too bright, causing glare. Colors may not appear as bright as they once did, however, most cataracts develop so slowly that people usually don’t realize that their color vision has markedly deteriorated. Oncoming headlights may cause uncomfortable glare at night, making driving more difficult. There is a myth that cataracts have to "ripen’, before they can be removed. This was true before about 1930, when the surgical technique to remove cataracts was quite primitive and the surgical outcome was essentially awful. These days, when the average cataract patient usually sees better after surgery than his peers who may have a minimal cataract, we wait until the patient finds that the cataract is interfering in his lifestyle. Patients have cataract surgery because they are having difficulty seeing the golf ball, or reading the financial pages, or have difficulty driving at night. The most common response on the day after surgery is, "When can I have the other eye done?" followed by "Why did I wait so long?"
Causes of Cataracts:
- Getting Older - Age is a major cause of developing cataracts
- Birth defect like abnormal conditions in the eyes of unborn babies
- Environmental factors such as disease, toxic chemicals, medications
- Accidents or injuries
- Exposure to ultraviolet light
- Cigarette smoking
Symptoms:
- Need more light to read
- Frustration from bright lights
- Night driving problems
- Increased eyestrain
- Double vision
- Cloudy, fuzzy and blurry vision
- Colors seem faded or yellow
- Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription
PLANNING FOR CATARACT SURGERY
Preparing for advanced IOL cataract surgery is different than simply preparing for standard cataract surgery. These special lenses will need to be ordered prior to the surgery with the most accurate measurement of your visual requirements. It is important to consult with your surgeon prior to surgery to determine which lens type will fit your lifestyle the best. Insurance may not cover all components of this procedure. Financing plans are available to help with the cost of this procedure to enable our patients achieve the best possible vision at a reasonable cost. Please consult with our Maine cataract surgeons to discuss the steps to get started with this revolutionary procedure.
NOTE: Cataract surgery does have risks. Your cataract surgeon will discuss these risks with you prior to surgery.