5 Common Myths about Cataracts
Cataracts is the eye disease that affects my grandparents and dogs…right? In a sense, yes — but there’s a lot more to it, and in fact cataracts can affect people from all walks of life. Since June is Cataracts Awareness Month, we at Nanodropper thought it’d be a great time to debunk five common myths about cataracts.
The Basics of Cataracts
When you look into a normal, healthy eye, the lens is clear. A cataract is the clouding of the lens. It can start small and you may not even notice any vision loss, but it can grow to cover the entire lens affecting your vision. Cataracts are a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness across the globe.
The good news? Cataracts are treatable. Surgical management can be a definitive solution in fixing cataracts. Be wary of supplements and other pharmaceuticals claiming they can help cataracts: surgery is the only proven treatment.
This eye condition is often misunderstood. So, here are five common myths and facts about cataracts.
The Myths and Facts
Myth: Cataracts only affect the elderly.
Fact: According to AMBOSS, a resource for those in medical training, while the probability of getting cataracts increases with age, about 17.5 percent of people between the ages of 40-80 years will develop cataracts as well. An astounding 70 percent above the age of 80 will develop or have cataracts. Ninety-nine percent of cataracts are developed as one ages, while the other one percent are born with it.
Myth: If I take care of my eyes, I won’t get cataracts.
Fact: While you can do things to delay cataracts, you can’t prevent them. For instance, wearing sunglasses helps protect and take care of your eyes. But, sadly everyone will get cataracts as they age. Trauma, eye infections, diabetes, excessive exposure to sunlight, and various drugs can also cause or increase risk of cataracts.
Myth: My eyes don’t hurt, so there is no way that I have cataracts.
Fact: Pain is generally not associated with cataracts. Rather you would have some of the following symptoms…
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A glare or halo around lights.
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Colors may look faded.
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Double or blurred vision.
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Clouding of the lens.
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Even sudden changes in your glasses or contact prescription.
Myth: Cataract surgery is dangerous and time-consuming.
Fact: The surgery itself actually only takes 10-15 minutes. It is safe and effective. To receive this surgery, you would meet with an ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist (MD) is a medical doctor who can perform medical and surgical interventions for all eye conditions. An optometrist (OD), is an eye doctor that can do all the basics for you — examine, diagnose, and treat your eyes.
Myth: The antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eyedrops that I’ll need after the surgery are too expensive and will just run out quickly like my other eyedrops.
Fact: While the eyedrops prescribed will likely be expensive, you can take action to make them last up to three times longer. How? By using our eyedrop adaptor known as the Nanodropper, you can make your eyedrops last longer and save money in the process.
The Reality Is…
Cataracts can easily be taken care of with surgery. Generally, this surgery is covered by your health insurance. Vision insurance, on the other hand, typically covers the annual visit with an optometrist. This acts as the first line of defense in finding the first signs of eye conditions like cataracts.
One of the most important things you can do to battle cataracts now is to make and keep those yearly appointments with your optometrist. You can learn more about the differences of what is and isn’t covered by health insurance in one of our previous blog posts — Why Vision Isn’t Covered in Your Health Insurance, and the Inequities It’s Causing.
Here at Nanodropper we are committed to providing up to date, vital information regarding access to eye health. If you have a specific need that isn’t being met and you don’t know where to turn, email us at info@nanodropper.com. We’re committed to preserving your vision. Learn more about how Nanodropper delivers you value-based care, one drop at a time. It’s time to take back control of your eye health.
Author: Kristi Hargiss
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