Prevention and Monitoring of Cataracts
Cataracts can affect your vision and quality of life. Aging is the most significant risk factor for cataracts; however, a healthy lifestyle with less UV exposure can help delay cataract development.
We recommend protecting your eyes from UV rays with a quality pair of sunglasses and eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, beans, pecans, and dark green vegetables, to help support your eye health and prevent the early development of cataracts.
If you have been diagnosed with cataracts, our team is here to support you through advice, updated eyewear, and surgery co-management, as needed.
Let us help you support your eyes. Book your eye exam today.
What Are Cataracts?
A cataract occurs when the lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. Usually, cataracts develop in both eyes, but not always evenly.
Most commonly, cataracts are a result of normal aging and occur after the age of 60. However, certain conditions, such as injuries, genetic conditions, and systemic conditions, can cause cataracts to develop earlier.
Risk Factors for Cataracts
While age is a significant risk factor for developing cataracts, there are other contributing factors that can increase your risk of developing cataracts, including:
- Certain genetic disorders, such as retinitis pigmentosa
- Systemic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity
- Excessive exposure to UV rays
- Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- An injury to the eye
- Eye surgery
- Extended use of steroid medications (both topical and systemic)
How Are Cataracts Monitored?
Cataracts may be detected during a routine eye exam. You may also notice symptoms such as blurred or hazy vision, muted colour vision, double vision, difficulty seeing at night, light sensitivity, and the need for bright light while reading.
Your optometrist will check your eyes with a slit lamp microscope during your exam, perform a retinal exam, and check your visual acuity (how well you can see at a distance) to screen for and monitor the progression of your cataracts. These tests will also inform your optometrist on how to manage the cataracts to maintain your vision.
Cataract Management and Surgery
While cataracts are forming, they may not interfere with your vision or quality of life. If you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts, your optometrist will provide continuous monitoring to track the size of the cataracts and how they impact your vision.
Commonly, changes to your vision caused by cataracts can be managed through an updated eyeglasses prescription. This prescription can help adjust for changes to your eyesight and keep your vision functional.
If the cataracts are affecting your vision and quality of life, your optometrist may recommend cataract surgery. This process includes removing the cloudy lens in your eye and replacing it with an artificial lens to restore your vision. If we recommend cataract surgery, we will provide a referral to a cataract surgeon and guide you through the preparation and healing process.
Preserving Your Vision and Quality of Life
If you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts, our goal is to help you maintain your eyesight and quality of life.
Whether that includes keeping your prescription updated and recommending specialty coatings for your new glasses to enhance your vision, or referring you for cataract surgery, we’re here to guide you through the management process.
If you suspect you have cataracts or have been diagnosed and need further guidance, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with our friendly team.
CAN YOUR GLASSES DO THIS?
For individuals ready to step into the future, we carry Ray-Ban and Oakley Meta AI glasses. Listen to music, take a phone call, or capture a video, all from your glasses.
Or enhance your connections with Nuance Audio Glasses for directional hearing amplification.
OUR FEATURED EYEWEAR BRANDS
Visit Our Location
We’re located on First Street, just across from the Lord Dufferin Centre. Parking is available behind the building with an accessible parking stall beside the entrance to the lot.
Our clinic has an accessible exam lane to accommodate individuals with wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
Our Address
Contact Information
- Phone: 519-941-6761
- Email: info@orangevilleoptometrists.ca
Our Hours
*Open on alternating Saturdays. Book an appointment in advance.
Our Google Reviews
What Patients are Saying
Amazing Doctors. Friendly and knowledgable staff. Makes the whole experience a pleasure. Highly recommended.
– Maureen
Prompt diagnosis of uveitis. Saved my vision. Forever greatful, thank you Dr. Costanzo
– G B
I have been seeing Dr Leblanc for years and now bring my son to see him as well. He is such a pleasure to deal with and although we only see him yearly, he remembers what’s going on in our lives and asks questions. He’s the best!
The reception staff are great as well!
– Trina
I’ve been going here for years. The staff are extremely helpful and very friendly. I especially find they answer all my questions and any concerns that I may have regarding eye care or even the right lenses to choose from. It’s always a pleasure to go there whether replacing my out dated frames or purchasing new frames and lenses for my eye care. They always inform me of specials too so I can add an additional option if desired.
– Kim
We drove from London for our appointment because they had my fiancé’s files. It was very worth the drive there. They were thorough, professional and friendly. We are very happy with our visit and look forward to returning soon to pick up the four new pairs of glasses!
Thank you to all the staff, Dmytro and Marlene
– June
