During a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor can determine whether you have cataracts, but can they know whether you will get them in the future? Keep reading to learn more about whether your eye doctor can tell you when you will develop cataracts.

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are cloudy patches that develop on the natural lens of the eye. The lens is a flexible disc that helps focus light that passes through the eye to assist in clear, focused vision.

The eye’s lens is made of proteins, which can change and deteriorate over time. This can result in clumps of protein that create discolored or opaque spots called cataracts.

When cataracts first develop, they can be so small that they don’t cause any symptoms. As they continue to progress, you may notice symptoms like:

• Blurry, cloudy vision
• Frequent changes to prescription for glasses or contacts
• Sensitivity to light or glare
• Difficulty seeing in low light
• Colors look dimmer
• A yellowish or brownish cast to vision
• Double vision

Even if you’re not experiencing cataract symptoms, your eye doctor may identify them during a routine eye exam. They often form slowly over time, so you may not even notice you have them until they begin to affect your vision.

Can My Eye Doctor Detect Cataracts Before They Develop?

Your eye doctor cannot tell when or if you will have cataracts before they develop. However, there are certain risk factors that can make you more susceptible to getting them sooner.

The most significant factor is age, as almost all adults will develop cataracts at some point in their life. The proteins in the natural lens of the eye that form cataracts break down as you age, so the older you are, the more likely it is that you’ll develop cataracts.

Other risk factors include:

• Smoking
• Having a family history of cataracts
• Using corticosteroids
• Having conditions like diabetes
• Excess sun exposure
• Having a history of eye injuries or procedures
• Having undergone radiation treatments on the upper body
• Having eye conditions like uveitis, glaucoma, or retina pigmentosa
• Exposure to air pollution, pesticides, or industrial chemicals

If you have one or more of these risk factors, you should schedule frequent eye exams with your eye doctor at EyeHealth Northwest. They can help detect your cataracts early on and provide treatment recommendations based on how far they have progressed.

How Do Eye Doctors Treat Cataracts?

Early cataract symptoms can be manageable with certain lifestyle changes. Your eye doctor may adjust your prescription to improve your vision.

Increasing lighting and adjusting brightness on screens can also make it easier to do daily tasks. However, once your cataract symptoms begin to make daily activities like reading or driving difficult, it’s time to consider cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery is the only way to reverse vision changes caused by cataracts. It is a quick and minimally invasive procedure that involves removing the cataract-affected natural lens of the eye and replacing it with an intraocular lens (IOL). 

These lenses prevent cataracts from developing in the future and can address common refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. EyeHealth Northwest offers monofocal, toric, multifocal, extended depth of focus, and Light Adjustable Lens IOLs.

Each of these lenses offer different benefits to suit your lifestyle and vision needs. During your cataract surgery consultation, your eye doctor can help determine the best IOL to achieve your desired visual outcome.

Do you have questions about cataracts or cataract surgery? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

The post Can My Eye Doctor Tell Me When I Will Develop Cataracts? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

Depending on the type of artificial intraocular lens (IOL) you choose, you may even be able to significantly reduce your dependence on visual aids like glasses and contact lenses. Keep reading to learn more about IOLs, including the differences between premium and standard IOLs!

How Do IOLs Work?

During cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon will remove the clouded natural lens inside your eye. When this lens becomes cloudy, it causes vision issues due to blocking light from reaching the retina, causing blurry vision and glare.

To help restore your vision, your cataract surgeon will replace your natural lens with an artificial lens called an intraocular Lens or IOL. IOLs immediately improve the vision issues caused by cataracts since the new lens is transparent and helps to focus light.

However, IOLs can go a step further and correct your refraction error. When in the eye, they work similarly to contact lenses or glasses by correcting how light is refracted when traveling through the eye.

What Are the Different Types of IOLs?

There are two general categories of IOLs: standard and premium.

Standard IOLs correct vision at one range. Premium IOLs can correct your vision so you see clearly at multiple distances, like far away and near.

Standard Monofocal IOL

Standard monofocal lenses correct vision at one distance. You can select whether they work for distance, intermediate, or near vision. 

Most people who choose a monofocal IOL decide to have their distance vision corrected. This way, they can see well for activities like driving or watching TV without glasses. 

In this case, they will need to use reading glasses to read printed materials or for computer work. 

Wavefront Monofocal IOL

Wavefront monofocal lenses are premium monofocal IOLs that offer better correction than traditional monofocal IOLs. Wavefront implants are aspheric, so the curvature of the lens surface is different at the center than it is around the edges. 

This can allow you to have crisper, clearer vision than traditional standard IOLs. The Wavefront monofocal IOL can be a great option for those who don’t mind wearing glasses after cataract surgery and want to improve the quality of their vision. 

Toric IOL

If you have astigmatism and wear contact lenses, you may already be familiar with the toric type of lenses. Like toric contacts, toric IOLs are specially shaped to correct vision problems caused by astigmatism. 

Toric IOLs are a premium option and can provide correction for distance vision. You may still need to wear glasses for reading or computer work. 

Multifocal IOLs

Multifocal IOLs are premium lenses that work similarly to bifocal glasses. They offer correction at multiple distances, so your vision will be clear for close-up and far-away. 

Choosing multifocal lenses can allow you to have greater visual freedom after cataract surgery.

Extended Depth of Focus IOLs

Extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses are another premium IOL option for correcting vision at multiple distances. They use an elongated focal point to give vision correction at all distances. 

EDOF lenses are also one of the best options for correcting intermediate vision range, which helps with computer and smartphone use.

Your IOL choice may depend on your vision correction needs and insurance coverage. Medicare and other insurance plans often pay for monofocal lenses but don’t cover the added costs of premium lenses. 

Your eye doctor can help you determine which IOL option may be best for you based on your budget and vision goals.

Do you want to learn more about your IOL options? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

The post What is the Difference Between Premium and Standard IOLs? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

This build-up of proteins causes cloudy or discolored areas on the lens, making it no longer clear. This limits the amount of light that reaches the retina and affects vision.

In the vast majority of cases, Cataracts develop slowly. They start small, and in the earliest stages, you might not notice cataracts at all. Over time, cataracts increase in size, and you’ll begin to notice changes in your vision.

Keep reading to learn the most common symptoms of cataracts.

Common Cataract Symptoms

Cloudy or blurry vision 

The protein deposits that make up cataracts cause vision to seem blurry, hazy, or out of focus. You may notice that our vision seems dimmer, even during daylight or in bright lights. 

Colors seem faded 

Cataracts can cause the lens to develop a brownish or yellowish tinge. This can act like a brown and yellow film over your vision, making colors seem less vibrant or dimmed. 

Glare or halos around lights

Cataracts may cause you to notice glare or halos around lights. These can be noticeable at night, particularly when driving. The halos or bright glare might make it difficult to see when faced with oncoming headlights or streetlamps.

Increased Light Requirement for Clear Vision 

Cataracts prevent light from penetrating the retina. This reduces how well you can see in low light. 

You may need help reading menus in restaurants with dim lighting or find night driving more challenging. You may even find yourself increasing screen brightness on reading materials or choosing brighter ambient lighting. 

Multiple (double) vision 

Distortions from cataracts may cause double vision in one or both eyes. It is essential to speak to your eye doctor immediately about any episode of double vision. 

Double vision can be a sign of serious health conditions such as a brain tumor, a concussion, or multiple sclerosis. Please seek medical help quickly if you have double vision.

Frequent need to change eyeglass prescriptions 

As cataracts progress, they can cause frequent changes in your vision, which means your glasses or contact lens prescription changes more often. If you’re experiencing frequent changes to your glasses or contacts, you may need to consider cataract surgery. 

How to Manage Cataract Symptoms

Many people manage their cataract symptoms alone for an extended period by using accommodations like magnifying glasses or special lights to make reading easier. Keeping your glasses or contact lens prescription up to date can also help minimize the symptoms of cataracts. 

Eventually, however, cataracts can lead to vision loss, affecting your ability to conduct ordinary activities. When this happens, cataract surgery is the only treatment option. 

Cataract surgery is a safe, effective procedure where your eye doctor replaces your eye’s clouded lens with a clear, artificial lens. The new lens completely corrects the vision issues associated with cataracts. 

Before your procedure, you can work with your ophthalmologist at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, to choose your artificial lens, an Intraocular Lens (IOL). Cataract surgery can also correct refraction errors, making you less reliant on glasses or contacts. 

Are you experiencing symptoms you think may be related to cataracts? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

The post What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Cataracts? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

IOLs can clear vision that has become discolored and blurred by cataracts. Premium IOLs can also address a variety of other vision problems and allow you to experience reduced dependence on visual aids after the procedure.

Keep reading to learn how you know if you should choose a premium IOL!

Types of Premium IOLs

The standard IOL is a monofocal lens that corrects vision for one distance, either near, intermediate or far. Most people who choose a monofocal IOL elect to have their distance vision corrected. 

In this case, they will still need to use glasses for other activities that require clear near or intermediate vision, such as reading or computer use.

Monofocal Wavefront Lens

Wavefront lenses are a new technology that uses computer modeling of the eye to give you the most precise monofocal correction. These IOLs offer the same degree of sharpness as glasses due to their more sophisticated shape. 

Because they only correct for one distance, you may need to wear glasses for close-up work if you choose this lens.

Toric Lens

If you have a curvature to the front of your eye or your natural lens, known as astigmatism, a toric IOL may be right for you. Toric IOLs can correct astigmatism and reduce the visual distortion typically caused by it.

Multifocal Lens

A multifocal lens corrects your vision at both distant and intermediate distances. They are similar to bifocal glasses with different degrees of correction in a single lens. 

Most people who opt for multifocal IOLs have excellent correction for distant objects and items up close. With this lens, you will likely be able to watch television, drive, read, or do other close-up tasks without glasses. 

Extended Depth of Focus Lens

These premium IOLs have an elongated focal point, which can provide sharp vision for both distance and intermediate viewing. With this lens, you likely won’t need glasses for activities like driving or using a laptop. 

They offer many of the vision correction benefits of multifocal IOLs without the same risk of glare and halos. 

Light-Adjustable Lens

Light-adjustable IOLs are made of light-responsive material that allows the lens to be customized to your eye after cataract surgery. After you recover from the initial procedure, your eye doctor can apply targeted ultraviolet light to the implanted lens. 

The lens then adjusts to your desired sharpness and provides customized vision correction.

How Do I Know if a Premium IOL is Right For Me?

When choosing the right IOL, you should think about your goals for vision correction surgery and what your vision priorities are. You should consider questions such as:

• Are you willing to wear glasses, or do you want to minimize the need for glasses as much as possible? 
• Do you need to use distance vision or near vision more often?
• Do you drive or work at night? Are you comfortable with glare or halos around lights after dark?

The best way to know for sure which IOL may be best for you is to talk with your eye doctor about your options. Your eye doctor can help you narrow down your options and decide if a premium IOL is best for accomplishing your vision goals.

Do you want to find out more about cataract surgery and premium IOLs? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Hillsboro, OR, today!

The post How Do I Know if I Should Choose a Premium IOL? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

There’s no way to predict when cataracts will become a problem, but when they do, there is treatment to correct them. Keep reading to learn more about cataracts, including which age range cataracts are most common!

What Are Cataracts? 

Cataracts are a clouding on the lens of your eye. The lens is a disc of clear tissue that sits behind the iris, which is the colored part of the eye.

When cataracts develop, the clouding blocks light from passing through the lens and causes blurry vision. Cataracts can develop in one or both eyes. 

They may start very small and not cause noticeable vision changes. As the clouding spreads, vision will become more blurry. 

Most cataracts are age-related. You can also develop cataracts as a side effect of other health conditions such as diabetes, use of certain medications like steroids, or as the result of an injury to the eye. 

What Age Will I Begin to Develop Cataracts? 

There is no set age when cataracts start to develop. Most people who have age-related cataracts tend to develop them between the ages of forty and fifty, but cataracts can show up earlier or later. 

If you have close family members who have developed age-related cataracts, you can ask them about their experience and when they were diagnosed. That may give you some idea of your own risk and when to start looking for symptoms. 

What Are The Symptoms of Cataracts? 

In the beginning stages, cataracts may not cause any symptoms. You may only know you have them after your eye doctor notices them during a routine eye exam.

Over time, the clouding on the lens may increase, and you may notice changes in your vision, such as:

• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Distortion of vision
• Double vision
• Feeling like lights are too bright 
• Light appears to give off a glare or a halo
• Colors appear faded
• Poor night vision
• Increased nearsightedness
• Frequent changes to eyeglass prescriptions

How Do I Know if I Have Cataracts? 

Since many of the symptoms of cataracts can have other causes, you should see an eye doctor to confirm that you have cataracts. Your eye doctor will ask you about any symptoms, ask about a family history of cataracts, and perform an eye exam. 

The exam will include tests of visual acuity. In addition, the ophthalmologist will use special eye drops to dilate your pupils. 

This allows the eye doctor to see the inner parts of the eye, including spotting any cataracts that may be present. Since pupil dilation is part of routine eye exams, your eye doctor may notice cataracts before they cause any symptoms.  

How Are Cataracts Treated?

If cataracts aren’t affecting your vision, there is nothing you need to do. Over time, the cataracts may cause minor vision changes that can be corrected with glasses or contacts.

Using a magnifying glass or brighter lighting for certain tasks may also help. For many people with advanced cataracts, cataract surgery is the best option. 

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure, and it’s very safe and effective. During cataract surgery, your eye doctor will give you eye drops to numb your eye. 

You may also want medication to help you relax during the procedure. Using special instruments, your ophthalmologist will remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear, artificial lens. 

Most people experience a noticeable improvement in their vision after cataract surgery. However, for some, it may take a few days to weeks to witness the full potential of their new vision.

Are you experiencing symptoms you think may be related to cataracts? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

The post What Age Range Are Cataracts Most Common? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

Cataracts are irreversible, and they can’t be stopped or slowed down. Keep reading to learn more about cataracts, including if you can treat cataracts without cataract surgery!

What Are Cataracts? 

Your eye’s natural lens is typically colorless and transparent. Shaped like an M&M, it sits behind the colored iris of the eye and the pupil. 

A healthy lens is flexible and allows the eye to focus, making objects, both close up and far away, crisp and sharp. Over time, as you age, the eye’s lens grows cloudy and opaque and begins to harden. 

This means less light enters your eye, changing the quality and clarity of your vision. Because the lens is harder, it causes it to be less flexible, making sharp focus harder to achieve.

These conditions cause a cataract and, thus, blurry vision.

What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts? 

Different people may experience different cataract symptoms. The following are typical symptoms of cataracts: 

• Blurry, hazy, cloudy vision
• Faded or less vibrant colors
• A yellowish tint to the world, and everything you see
• Double vision and ghost images
• Worsening night vision
• Difficulty reading words on a page unless you have enough light

Cataracts develop slowly, so gradually, you may not notice the initial changes in your vision. 

Why Do Cataracts Develop?

Cataracts are typically a byproduct of aging. However, other medical conditions can hasten their development. 

Be on the alert if you have the following as they increase your risk of developing cataracts:

• Diabetes or other health conditions
• Prescription drugs such as corticosteroids
• Trauma to the eye which can include injury or surgery
• Damage due to overexposure to sunlight and UV rays
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Smoking

How Are Cataracts Treated? 

As cataracts develop, your eye doctor will monitor their progress. Watchful waiting is often part of the treatment, as surgery is only performed when necessary. 

However, if you think you have cataracts, regular check-ups with an eye doctor will help you stay on top of changes and developments. Don’t allow cataracts to progress to the point where you cannot perform daily tasks because your vision is poor.

Your eye doctor will inform you when it’s time to have cataract surgery, but if you notice that you are unable to perform your typical tasks due to your vision in between visits, it’s important to see your eye doctor.

Is There Any Way to Treat Cataracts Without Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is the only way to completely restore your vision. Since cataracts will affect everyone if they live long enough, everyone will need cataract surgery eventually.

However, since cataracts typically develop gradually, you may not need cataract surgery right away. If you’re noticing a reduction in the quality of your vision, you can try some of the following to address the symptoms of cataracts in the meantime: 

• Keep your vision prescription up to date with your glasses or contacts
• Use a magnifying glass if you’re straining to read small print
• Make sure you have a good source of strong light when reading or doing close-up work
• Avoid driving at night

Will Cataracts Go Away on Their Own? 

Cataracts will not go away on their own. Unfortunately, they will only worsen over time.

Untreated cataracts can even result in blindness. To avoid cataracts getting in the way of your everyday life, it’s best to make routine eye exams not part of your habit of self-care. 

Are you experiencing symptoms of cataracts? Schedule a cataract evaluation at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

The post Can You Treat Cataracts Without Cataract Surgery?  appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

However, LASIK can greatly reduce your need for glasses and provide you with greater visual freedom for years to come by correcting your natural refractive error. Typically recommended for people in their twenties or thirties, LASIK is permanent and safe. 

Keep reading to learn more about LASIK and if it affects your need for cataract surgery!

What are Refractive Errors?

Blurry vision without glasses or contact lenses, for most people, is due to refractive errors. Refraction is the bending of light rays as they pass through the lens of your eye. 

The eye’s lens focuses light on your retina, a thin layer of light-sensitive cells at the back of your eye. The retina translates light into signals that are carried along the optic nerve to the brain, which interprets these signals as visual images. 

When the lens has difficulty focusing light on the retina, this affects the visual information carried by the optic nerve. The result is blurry vision.

Refractive errors can also develop naturally when your eye is either too short or too long or if your cornea is irregular. 

What Are the Types of Refractive Errors?

There are three common types of refractive errors. These can usually be corrected by LASIK surgery: 

• Myopia or nearsightedness is when distant objects appear blurry
• Hyperopia or farsightedness is when close objects appear blurry
• Astigmatism affects both distant and close-up vision, making objects blurry. 

How LASIK Corrects Refractive Errors

LASIK reshapes the cornea, the dome-shaped transparent protective outer layer of the eye. During LASIK, your LASIK surgeon at EyeHealth Northwest will create a flap in the cornea, then use a laser to reshape the cornea, which corrects the refraction problems. 

The result is permanent vision correction, and you will be able to see with reduced dependence on glasses or contacts. 

What Are Cataracts?

As you age, the eye’s lens will begin to grow cloudy. As the lens is the portion of the eye that focuses light on the retina, this cloudiness will affect your ability to see.

The lens also loses its flexibility, which makes it challenging for your eye to focus light correctly on the retina. You may notice changes in your vision that may include the following:

• Blurry, hazy vision
• Faded colors or vision that has a yellowish tint
• Greater sensitivity to light 
• Double vision or ghost images
• Worsening nighttime vision

What is Cataract Surgery?

The visual symptoms associated with cataracts are easily corrected with cataract surgery, the most common surgical procedure compared with any other surgery in medicine. It is also one of the safest, with an estimated three million cataract surgeries done each year, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Cataract surgery will replace the cloudy lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant that will restore the clarity and sharpness of your vision. This IOL bends light rays, focusing them on the retina at the back of the eye. 

When the time comes to have cataract surgery, you will be able to choose the artificial lens that replaces your natural lens. In the same way that LASIK surgery frees you from dependence on glasses or contacts, premium IOLs can offer sharp distance and intermediate vision and functional up-close vision. 

Cataracts are inevitable for most adults. However, they should not affect your decision-making regarding LASIK surgery today. 

If you are in your twenties or thirties, LASIK can be an excellent way for you to experience true visual freedom. Although it will not prevent you from developing cataracts, it will allow you years, even decades, of reduced dependence on visual aids.

Do you want to learn if you may be a candidate for LASIK? Schedule a LASIK consultation at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

The post If I Have LASIK, Will I Still Need Cataract Surgery? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

Keep reading to learn if an extended depth of focus IOL may be right for you!

Monofocal IOLs

Most insurance plans cover a standard cataract lens. A standard IOL is a monofocal lens, which will correct your vision at only one distance.

Most people who choose a monofocal IOL typically decide to have it set for distance vision correction. In this case, they would still need glasses for intermediate distance and up-close work. 

If you’re driving a car with a monofocal lens, traffic lights and street signs will be clearly visible, but you’ll need glasses to see the dashboard and odometer.

Multifocal IOLs

For many people, worrying about glasses is an unwanted burden. They want a deluxe lens that will give them the freedom to see at a distance while also accommodating intermediate viewing. 

This is what a multifocal lens provides. Those who choose multifocal IOLs are able to drive a car, read street signs, and see the dashboard clearly. 

With a multifocal IOL, you will also have functional viewing of up-close objects, like reading a menu in a well-lit restaurant. Multifocal IOLs are not covered by insurance and will be an out-of-pocket expense. 

Those who prioritize clear, sharp sight and understand that a deluxe lens is an investment in a more independent future often choose a multifocal IOL.

How Multifocal IOLs Work

Multifocal IOLs work by taking the light coming into the eye and splitting it into several points of focus. Like bifocal or trifocal glasses, there are different corrective zones, and the eye moves from zone to zone and readjusts its focus. 

Distance viewing is sharp and clear. Those with multifocal IOLs also enjoy intermediate viewing without glasses and functional up-close viewing. In settings with dim light, reading glasses may be necessary.

What Are the Drawbacks of a Multifocal IOL?

Multifocal IOLs have tremendous advantages over monofocal IOLs, but there are limitations and possible outcomes that some patients find frustrating. The different points of focus used by multifocal IOLs create unwanted side effects. 

Some individuals report seeing halos or glare with multifocal IOLs. This can make tasks like driving at night difficult. 

For those who don’t want this inconvenience and don’t mind wearing glasses, monofocal IOLs are a better choice.

The EDOF IOL

Recent technology has produced a new kind of IOL, the extended depth of focus (EDOF) lens. An IOL with EDOF uses technology based on an elongated focal point rather than the multiple focal points of a multifocal IOL. 

The EDOF IOL can allow you to experience excellent distance vision and good intermediate vision, so you’ll be able to use a computer or read from a smartphone. They also minimize the chance of halos and glare obstructing your vision. 

Choosing an EDOF 

The functional up-close vision of the EDOF will work in most situations, but low lighting may be a challenge. If you’re considering choosing an EDOF lens, it’s important to be realistic and understand that you won’t experience perfect vision across all distances. 

However, you will be able to give up glasses for most viewing situations, particularly driving and doing computer work. Your eye doctor at EyeHealth Northwest will help you weigh your options and determine which option is based for you based on your vision goals and budget.

Taking all factors into account, an EDOF IOL may be the ideal choice for you.

Do you want to learn more about EDOF IOLs or determine if this lens is right for you? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Happy Valley, OR, today!

The post Is an Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lens Right For Me? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

Keep reading to learn more about what IOL the best cataract surgeon in Portland will recommend!

What’s an IOL?

During cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon will remove the cloudy natural lens of your eye and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens or IOL. With rapid development bringing new lenses to the marketplace, you can weigh your options knowing you’ll be able to choose the IOL that is best for you.

With more and more IOLs coming available, your cataract surgeon will customize your choices down to those that will work best for you and your visual concerns.

Asking the Right Questions

Your cataract surgeon will talk to you about the procedure and your lens options in-depth. They will likely ask you many questions to help guide their recommendations and your eventual choice. 

You will also be asked about your budget so that they can narrow your options to align with your finances. Questions about your lifestyle will help determine what kind of lens is best to enable you to see correctly for the activities you do most frequently. 

For example, if you are active and always on the move or relaxed and centered on reading, computing, or other hobbies involving close work, specific lenses may work better for you than others. And most important, your vision goals will outline what your expectations are. 

Do you want to experience visual freedom with reduced dependency on glasses? Is being independent of contacts and prescription lenses important to you? 

All these answers come into play when your cataract surgeon develops recommendations for you to consider.

Customizing Choices

As you can see, the same IOL won’t be suitable for every person. Cataract surgery and lens replacement is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. 

Your eye doctor considers each case individually to determine which IOL is best. Each recommendation is uniquely tailored to each person based on medical information, lifestyle habits, and long-term vision goals. 

The best cataract surgeon will take a variety of factors into consideration. At EyeHealth Northwest, the following lenses are available, and some may be recommended to you based on your consultation:

Monofocal Wavefront lens

Wavefront is a design associated with the most development in cataract lens technology. It has a more sophisticated shape which results in sharper vision after cataract surgery.

It’s a single-distance lens, so those choosing this IOL will still need to wear glasses for close viewing. 

Toric Lens for Astigmatism

Those with astigmatism will want to look into a toric lens which corrects the blurriness associated with this condition. A toric lens will restore distance vision.

Multifocal Lens

If you want to see at a variety of distances and reduce your dependency on glasses after cataract surgery, a multifocal lens is a great option. The majority of people who choose a multifocal lens will be able to see distant objects and items up close without depending on glasses. 

With a multifocal IOL implant, for most people watching television, driving, reading, or doing handwork such as knitting or crocheting will not require additional glasses.

Extended Depth of Focus Lens

These lenses provide an elongated focal point so that you have sharp vision when viewing both distance and intermediate range, such as computer work. 

Light Adjustable Lens

The light-adjustable lens is a unique IOL that allows your eye doctor to customize your vision after cataract surgery. Because this lens allows your vision to be completely tailored, the outcome is exceptional clarity.

Do you want to learn more about what IOL options are available? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

The post What IOL Will the Best Cataract Surgeon in Portland Recommend? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

The good news is that cataract surgery can restore your vision! Cataract surgery is minimally invasive, offers a quick recovery, and you can resume your everyday activities with clear, bright vision within days of the procedure.

Keep reading to learn more about cataracts and if vision loss due to cataracts is permanent!

What is a Cataract?

A healthy eye has a lens that’s colorless and transparent. It’s a disc that sits behind the iris, the colored part of the eye. 

The lens is flexible and allows the eye to focus light, making objects both close-up and far away appear crisp and sharp. Due to aging, the lens can become cloudy and opaque over time, reducing the amount of light that enters the eye and affecting your sight.

The cloudy lens is called a cataract. Some describe it as looking through a fogged-up window. 

Cataracts can also cause your vision to be blurry, make it harder to see at night, and make colors appear dim or faded.

Symptoms of Cataract

Cataracts can cause different symptoms in different people. However, there are some common symptoms. 

If you’re experiencing some of the symptoms below, it could be the start of cataracts:

• Blurry, hazy, or cloudy vision
• Colors that are faded, less intense, reduced, or have a yellowish tint
• Glare from light sources
• Double vision or ghosting of images
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Difficulty reading or performing other near activities

Cataracts often occur slowly. Because of this, you may not notice any apparent changes in your vision until they become more advanced.

Cataracts are commonplace among older adults. In fact, it’s the most common cause of vision loss in adults forty and older. 

Situations that Increase Cataract Risk

Cataracts can develop for other reasons beyond the aging process. In addition, certain factors may cause cataracts to develop earlier in life. 

Some examples of these factors are:

• Medical conditions such as diabetes
• Certain drugs such as corticosteroids
• A family history of cataracts
• Previous trauma to the eye
• Previous eye surgery
• Smoking

When to Have Cataract Surgery

Typically, eye doctors will wait to recommend cataract surgery until your reduced vision impairs your daily activities and you have difficulty performing everyday tasks. 

Cataract surgery will replace your cloudy lens with an artificial IOL implant that will restore your vision. Your EyeHealth Northwest eye doctor will help you determine which lens will best accomplish your goals. 

When it’s time for cataract surgery, you’ll make the right choice with an EyeHealth NorthWest surgeon. Collectively, the surgeons at EyeHealth NW perform over 10,000 surgeries a year.

As leaders in cataract and laser surgery in the Portland Metro, our surgeons will help guide you through various options. You’ll be able to make a choice that’s compatible with your lifestyle and even reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses. 

Your vision will not only be restored but will be better than ever. 

Are you interested in learning more about how cataract surgery can restore your vision? Schedule an appointment at Eyehealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

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