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What is a Cataract?
A cataract is the clouding of the crystalline lens in your eye. This opacity obstructs the passage of light resulting in a reduction of clear vision. Normally, light passes through the clear lens and is focused onto the Retina. However, the natural aging process can cause the lens to become cloudy, or milky. The cataract blocks the passage of light through the eye and causes distorted or blurred vision, glare, or difficulty seeing in poor lighting conditions.

If we suspect an ocular condition or disease,
we will immediately schedule or perform
diagnostic tests to determined our next steps.

There are three types of cataracts:

» A nuclear cataract forms in the lens. Those over 65 are more prone to develop this type of cataract. More than half of all Americans over the age of 65 will develop a cataract.

» A cortical cataract forms in the lens, then grows from the outside to the center of the lens. Diabetics are more prone to develop this type of cataract.

» A subcapsular cataract forms in the back of the lens. It is documented that those with diabetes, high hyperopia (Far-sightedness) or retinitis pigmentosa may be at a higher risk to develop this type of cataract.

It is not known why cataracts occur in all instances but studies on the cause of cataracts will soon teach us how to more successfully treat and prevent them. The most commonly known type of cataract is age related. You may not notice a slight change in your vision, as cataract starts out very tiny, but as it grows from the size of a pin head, you may notice that your vision is becoming blurry, and you may feel you are looking through dirty lenses. Object edges may appear to fade into one another and colors may not appear as bright as they should.

The most common symptoms of a cataract are:
» Cloudy or blurry vision.
» Problems with light.
» Problems with headlights that seem too bright.
» Problems with glare from lamps.
» Problems with very bright sunlight.
» Colors that seem faded.
» Poor night vision.
» Double or multiple vision.
» Frequent changes in glasses or contact lenses.
» Eyeglasses are no longer effective.
» Contact lenses are no longer effective



With the formation of a cataract, activities like reading, bowling, or driving can be difficult. Fortunately, vision can be restored quickly, allowing the patient to return home within a few hours. With new advances in cataract surgery, vision improvement begins almost immediately, and an eye patch isn't even needed.

Cataract surgery is the most common operation in the world. In the United States, more than 2.7 million procedures are performed annually. (National Institutes of Health)

There are many millions of cases of early cataracts among Americans aged 40 and older, and 50 percent of people older than 65 have developed significant cataracts. (National Institutes of Health)



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Ridge Eye Institute
5889 Clark Road
Paradise, CA 95969
(530) 877-2020
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Ridge Eye Institute 5889 Clark Road Paradise, CA 95969 Phone: (530) 877-2020 Fax: (530) 877-4641

Ridge Eye Institute serves Paradise, CA. and the sourrounding towns of Cottonwood, Corning, Red Bluff, Orland, Chester, Chico, Westwood, Willows, Greenville, Glenn, South Oroville, Colusa, Live Oak, Grass Valley, Downieville, Quincy, Portola, Foresthill and sourrounding areas.

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