Learning About Cataracts
(Left to right) Rhonda Glaviano, RN, Valerie Jarreau, RN, Joe Gannon, MD, and Dania Tolliver, RN
People often have questions about what really defines a cataract. Refer to the drawing and following information to assist you in learning more about cataracts. Hopefully the following information will answer those questions and encourage the promotion of healthy vision and eye care.
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision.
The lens is the part of the eye that helps to focus an image on the retina.
The lens is made of mainly water and protein. As people age, the protein may clump together, and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is the cataract.
Symptoms of cataracts include cloudy or blurry vision, colors appear faded, glare, halos around lights, poor night vision, double vision, or multiple images in one eye.
A thorough eye exam can detect a cataract.
Treatment may initially involve new eyeglasses, anti-glare sunglasses, brighter lighting in the environment, or the use of magnifying lenses. Surgery is the only effective treatment.
Pointe Coupee General Hospital provides cataract surgery services with state of the art equipment. The qualified group of surgical staff lead by Valerie Jarreau, RN, is very knowledgeable regarding cataract surgery and is available to answer any questions you may have. Please call (225) 638-6331 for more information regarding cataract surgery.
Source: National Eye Institute
