When selecting an eye doctor Calgary patients should book an eye exam with one of our optometrists at the Glenmore Landing Vision Center. Our optometrists can fully evaluate your eye health and vision needs, including the detection and assessment of cataracts.
A cataract is a clouding or opaque area within the crystalline lens within the eye. This clouding prevents light rays from passing through the lens and focusing on the back of the retina. This clouding is caused when some of the protein that makes up the lens begins to clump together and interferes with vision. The effects of which can be compared to frost or ice that obscures vision through a window in winter. The progression of cloudy vision can vary greatly. If the opacity is not located near the center of the lens, the patient may be completely unaware of its presence.
Even in the early stages of cataract development, a person may not experience vision problems. Over a period of time (often years) a cataract may grow in density and size, affecting more of the lens and in turn, the quality of sight. As this begins to obscure more of the light to the retina, vision will become less vivid and blurred. When visiting an eye doctor Calgary patients will have their lens assessed for the presence of cataracts, and if present, the severity. Cataracts do not spread from one eye to the other, although often many patients develop them in both eyes.
Depending on how advanced and bothersome the blurred vision is, your Optometrist may recommend making a referral to an Ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) for Cataract removal. Such surgeries are generally simple outpatient procedures that involve removing the old cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear new artificial lens.
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world. Most often occurring in populations of third world countries, where a lack of physicians and medical facilities prevents people from getting proper care. In Canada, when examined by an eye doctor Calgary patients can rest assured that the doctor will look for the presence of cataracts to help preserve vision.