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As we age, our eyes do as well. One of the most common side effects of aging eyes is the development of cataracts. This is the clouding or darkening of the eye's lens. Since this lens is normally clear, you don't notice the lens during your daily activities. While cataracts are almost always associated with aging, it's important to note that cataracts can form at any age because of a variety of different factors. Regardless of when or how cataracts develop, it's important to know how to deal with them.

Cataract Symptoms

Cataracts tend to appear gradually, including symptoms such as blurry vision and a halo-type glare around lights, headlights, and the sun. Some cataract sufferers may also experience double vision or they may find that their vision changes every few months. As cataracts worsen, sufferers experience more difficulty with reading and other fine tasks. The eye starts to look cloudy, particularly in the latter stages of cataract formation.

Determining When to Have Cataract Surgery

Although you may think you're experiencing cataracts, it's best to have your eye doctor confirm the diagnosis before thinking about surgery. The surgical procedure itself involves removing your eye's lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. You may still need eyeglasses after you heal from the surgery, but the cataracts will no longer affect your vision. Your eye doctor may run several tests and ask you questions before recommending surgery. This is to help determine how greatly your life is affected by your cataracts so he can gauge whether surgery is the right solution for you.

Recovering from Cataract Surgery

Once you decide to go ahead with cataract surgery, you'll find that after the first day or two, your vision is likely greatly improved. You're still healing, however, and your eye doctor may prescribe eye drops or ointment to help your eyes to heal properly. You'll need to go back to your eye doctor several times so that he can verify that you're healing properly. After roughly a month or two, your eyes should be healed enough for your eye doctor to prescribe any new eyeglasses you might need. If your eyes are still healing, though, he may wait a bit longer to do that.

If you think that it's time for you to look into cataract surgery, call your eye doctor today. He can assess how far along your cataracts are and recommend a path of treatment for you. Contact a professional like Thomas L. Lawrence, M.D., P.A. for more information.