The unpleasant side effects of cataracts can become increasingly common as you age, but that does not mean it has to affect your quality of life. At Eye Centers of Florida, our highly qualified doctors and state-of-the-art facilities have allowed us to provide world-class cataract treatments for thousands of patients across Southwest Florida.
Our eyes contain a natural lens that lies just behind the pupil. This lens bends and focuses light, which allows our brains to clearly process the images we see. A cataract is the clouding of your eye’s natural lens, making it difficult for light to pass through the eye and focus properly. The result is a gradual loss of vision.
Cataracts tend to develop as we age. By the age of 75, nearly 70% of people have developed cataracts. Some people may be more genetically predisposed to cataracts than others. Factors that increase the risk of cataracts include smoking, diabetes, some medications, and UV exposure, as well as trauma from surgery or an injury to the eyes.
Cataracts usually begin to develop at age 60, with the symptoms being anywhere from barely noticeable to completely vision impairing. Some common symptoms of cataracts include:
If you believe you’re experiencing any of these symptoms due to your cataracts and are ready to find a solution, schedule a consultation today at one of our convenient locations in Southwest Florida.
A cataract starts gradually and initially has a minimal effect on vision. As a cataract develops, you may notice that your vision is slightly blurred, like looking through a window coated with condensation. A cataract may also make light from the sun or a lamp seem too bright, and you may notice when you drive at night that the oncoming headlights cause more glare than before.
Symptoms will be experienced based on the type of cataract you have, and each cataract progresses at its’ own pace:
If you or someone you know are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should contact an Eye Centers of Florida doctor. Our doctors can determine the cause of cataracts and provide the appropriate treatment for your needs.
During cataract surgery, your eye’s clouded natural lens is broken apart and gently removed. The natural lens is then replaced by an intraocular lens, or IOL. An IOL is a clear, artificial lens that your surgeon will place in your eye during surgery, to take the place of the lens with a cataract and help restore vision.
At Eye Centers of Florida, you can choose between different IOLs. The IOL you choose will vary by cost and level of performance. Some of the IOLs we offer are:
See the Difference with more IOL options than any other eye care provider in Southwest Florida, many of whom only offer premium lenses. At Eye Centers of Florida, we also provide our patients with alternative cataract surgery procedures, such as limbal relaxing incisions and monovision.
In addition, we offer competitive pricing for our premium lenses, which can be discussed in detail during your cataract consultation.
At Eye Centers of Florida, you can rest assured knowing that you’re being treated by Board Certified Cataract Surgeons using the latest technology and methods. Our experienced surgical team performs every cataract procedure at our state-of-the-art Accredited SurgiCare Center in Fort Myers.
Before surgery, we will take multiple eye measurements and help you decide on the IOL that will best suit your needs. The doctor will give you instructions on what to do before surgery, including fasting for 12 hours before and activities to avoid that may affect the outcome of your cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure involving a local or topical anesthetic and a mild sedative to make you more comfortable. Using a microscope and the most precise instruments, the ophthalmologist will remove your eye’s natural lens and replace it with a permanent IOL.
The procedure is painless, and you will only feel slight pressure during surgery. The whole process takes approximately 10 minutes.
After surgery, we will prescribe eye drops and advise you to rest. Follow-up visits will be scheduled to check your eyes and make sure they are healing properly.
Typically, you can return to your normal activities within 24 to 72 hours after surgery. If your normal activities include physical work or working outdoors, your doctor may recommend a longer recovery period.
At Eye Centers of Florida, we have 18 highly qualified physicians available to treat various eye conditions, the largest group of eye care experts in Southwest Florida. We are proud of our long history of service and the life-long relationships we have built with our patients. Our state-of-the-art facility is fully equipped to help you free yourself from cataracts.
When you are ready to take back your vision from cataracts, schedule a cataract consultation at one of our 8 convenient Southwest Florida locations.
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The first step to find out if you need cataract surgery is a comprehensive eye exam with one of our Board Certified Physicians at Eye Centers of Florida.
