What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. The lens works much like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye to see clearly both up close and far away.
The lens is mostly made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it. But as we age, some of the protein clumps together and starts to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract, and over time it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see.
Cataracts are a normal part of growing older. Last year approximately 2.7 million Americans underwent cataract surgery. The cloudiness keeps light from entering the eye properly which reduces the quality of vision. Besides age, cigarette smoking and UV exposure from sunlight can increase the risk for cataracts. Symptoms of a cataract include blurred vision, flarelhalos from lights, loss of color vibrancy, and poor night vision.
Nowadays, with excellent technology and techniques, most patients enjoy clear and improved vision following cataract surgery.
When you think of Denver LASIK, Cataracts or Glaucoma, think of the Denver Eye Surgeons.
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