See a Family Eye Physicians eye doctor. Offices in Buffalo Grove, Orland Park, Oak Lawn, Schaumburg, Oakbrook Terrace and Chicago (Albany Park).
People may think that the elderly are the only people who have to worry about cataracts. While it is true that this eye condition can develop as a result of aging, other factors lead to cataracts as well. An injury to the eye lens and medical conditions such as diabetes can lead to cataracts. The prolonged use of steroid medications can also result in cataracts. Cataract surgery is performed to remove cataracts. It is an outpatient procedure and is not painful.
If you experience increased difficulty with driving, especially at night, reading or watching television, or if bright lights bother you more than they used to, you may have cataracts. The highly-trained doctors at Family Eye Physicians can determine if this is the case. Visit one of our locations , call today at 708-636-9393, or schedule an appointment.
Cataracts are caused by changes in the tissue in the lens of the eye. They can develop as a result of aging. Smoking, excessive alcohol use, obesity, and high blood pressure also increase the risk of cataracts. These factors should be controlled to limit the risk of, not just cataracts, but a host of other health issues.
A cataract clouds the lens of the eye making vision difficult. It’s a bit like looking through a fogged-up window. This can make everyday activities, such as reading and driving, much more difficult.
Cataracts develop slowly, so this incremental change makes it hard to detect until vision is impacted. Better lighting helps and a stronger eyeglass prescription may improve vision in the short term. Cataract surgery is another safe and proven way to correct vision.
In the cataract surgery procedure, an eye surgeon uses an ultrasound device to break the clouded lens into small sections which are then removed with suction. An artificial lens is inserted to replace the clouded lens.
People get squeamish at the thought of eye surgery. They worry that the procedure is painful. Cataract surgery is not painful. While patients are awake during surgery, there is little or no discomfort involved. A mild sedative may be administered before the surgery, which calms the nerves, and eye drops are used to numb the eye. There may be minor discomfort after surgery, but this doesn’t last long and over-the-counter pain medication should be enough to deal with it. The eye doctor typically asks patients to stay in the office for an hour after surgery so eye pressure can be monitored. Vision will start to improve a few days after surgery. The majority of cataract surgeries are successful in restoring vision.
Cataracts themselves are usually not painful. The cataract symptoms listed by the National Eye Institute are all changes in vision: cloudy or blurry sight, faded colors, trouble seeing at night, lights that seem too bright, halos around lights, double vision, and frequent changes to your glasses prescription. Pain is not on that list. If your eye hurts, turns red, or your vision changes suddenly, do not assume it is a cataract. Have it checked promptly, because pain is not a typical cataract symptom.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, your eye is numbed with eye drops or with an injection around the eye, and you are awake during surgery. You may see light and movement, but you will not see what the surgeon is doing to your eye. Pain after surgery that does not get better with over-the-counter medicine is not expected, and it is a reason to call your surgeon right away.
Planning ahead? Read about cataract surgery at Family Eye Physicians, what cataract surgery costs in Chicago, and whether Medicare covers cataract surgery.
Contact Family Eye Physicians Laser Centers today for a complete eye exam to test for cataracts. Our team of expert doctors and eye care professionals also provide laser cataract surgery, premium cataract implants, diabetic laser treatment, laser vision correction, and more. We serve patients in Buffalo Grove, Orland Park, Oak Lawn, and the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago. Schedule an appointment online or call us today at 708-636-9393.
Request an Appointment
Our eye doctors see patients at six Chicagoland offices. Book online or call us.
Request an AppointmentCall (708) 636-9393
