Cataracts

Up to half of Americans 50 and older have cataracts –– clouded lenses that make it difficult to see. At Vistasite Eye Care of Kings Plaza Mall in the Mill Basin neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City, board-certified optometrists Gary Eppel, OD, and Dmitri Bondarenko, OD, offer complete care for cataracts, including prescription eye drops and surgery. Call Vistasite Eye Care of Kings Plaza Mall today to schedule cataract treatment or book your appointment online.

How can I tell if I have cataracts?

Make an appointment at Vistasite Eye Care of Kings Plaza Mall if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Cloudy, blurry, or foggy vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Changes in the way you see colors
• Needing brighter light to read
• Double vision
• Glare or halos around lights

These signs may indicate various eye problems, but they’re most commonly associated with cataracts.

Cataracts cause the clear lenses of your eyes to become cloudy. They form when proteins in your lenses break down, affecting their clarity. Because cataracts worsen gradually, it’s crucial to seek treatment right away.

Who gets cataracts?

Cataracts affect people of all ages, but they’re most common in those 50 and older. Likewise, certain health problems increase the risk, including diabetes and uveitis (inflammation inside the eye). Though there’s no way to prevent cataracts entirely, reducing your risk is possible. 

How does an optometrist diagnose cataracts?

Your Vistasite Eye Care of Kings Plaza Mall provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when you first noticed changes to your vision and if your symptoms are worse at certain times, like when driving at night.

They complete a comprehensive eye exam, checking your lenses for signs of cataracts and assessing their severity. They also order several tests, including a slit lamp exam and a visual acuity test. 

A slit-lamp exam magnifies the structures at the front of your eye (including your lenses), while a visual acuity test assesses your eyesight. 

How does an optometrist treat cataracts?

The Vistasite Eye Care of Kings Plaza Mall team treats cataracts with cataract surgery. This is the only way to remove damaged lenses and restore your eyesight. 

During cataract surgery, your provider removes and replaces your damaged lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The IOL permanently stays in your eye and works like your natural lens. It even corrects refractive errors, like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

How long does it take to recover after cataract surgery?

Recovery from cataract surgery takes 4-8 weeks.* The first few days after the procedure, it’s normal to experience mild pain and swelling. Your optometrist prescribes pain medication to ensure your comfort during this time.

Call Vistasite Eye Care of Kings Plaza Mall today to schedule cataract treatment or book your appointment online.  

*Results may vary.