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cataract

June Is Cataract Awareness Month

Cataract Awareness Month graphic with eye chart

Raising Cataract Awareness

Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the United States, and it is the leading cause of blindness in the world. There are more than 24 million Americans over the age of 40 who are affected by cataracts, so it’s important to educate ourselves on symptoms and risk factors associated with cataracts.

Prevent Blindness has declared June as Cataract Awareness Month. Read on to learn more! 

What Is A Cataract?

A cataract is the clouding of the lens inside the eye that happens naturally over time.

Cataracts are among the most common age-related eye conditions; it is estimated that over 60% of Americans will develop a cataract at some point during their lifetimes.

Illustration of a Normal Eye and Eye with a Cataract

What Are Risk Factors For Cataracts?

Anyone can get cataracts. While most people don’t typically show symptoms until at least the age of 40, cataracts can also affect young adults or even children. Heredity, disease, eye injury and smoking could cause cataracts to develop at an earlier age.

Tips & Insights: What Are the Causes Of Tunnel Vision?

What Are Cataract Symptoms?

Symptoms of a cataract may include:

  • Blurred or distorted vision
  • Sensitivity to light, especially bright lights from oncoming car headlights
  • Need to get closer to see distant objects, such as road signs
  • Loss of depth perception
  • A change in the color of the pupil to a milky white or yellow

How To Prevent Cataracts?

Some steps you can take now to protect your eyes from the formation of cataracts is to wear UV blocking sunglasses, take nutritional supplements, quit smoking, and learn your family health history.

We understand how precious your vision is, and one thing that can help keep your eyes healthy is a comprehensive eye exam at least once every other year.

Schedule Cataract Evaluation

Now offering PanOptix, the First and Only Trifocal Lens in the US for our Cataract Patients!

The FDA recently released the PanOptixTM trifocal lens for cataract patients. What does this mean for Specialty Eye Institute patients? As a practice, we’re always working toward giving our patients the best possible visual outcomes and this lens provides patients with a full range of vision.

PanOptix is already one of the leading presbyopia-correcting IOLs in more than 70 countries. It is designed for today’s active lifestyles, from viewing mobile devices and computer screens to high-quality distance vision in a range of lighting conditions. The new lens uses ENLIGHTEN®Optical Technology, a proprietary design that optimizes intermediate vision without compromising near and distance vision.

“We are excited to offer our patients the proven technology winner in the depth of focus lenses. PanOptix has been available in Europe for over 7 years with over 500,000 lenses implanted and is the clear favorite lens internationally. It is finally available here in the United States and we too are experiencing its distinct advantages in our patients,” states Dr. Kevin Lavery, Cataract Specialist at Specialty Eye Institute.

The advantage of this lens over others is not only doing it offers equal distance acuity, but an improved intermediate focal point at 60 cm means the possibility of better visual outcomes for daily tasks including using your phone, computer, and reading a book or menu.

“We have been watching closely for this technology to become available to us and are thrilled to finally have this as an option. Panoptix is the first lens of its kind that gives excellent vision in all levels of patient needs (distance, mid-range, and near),” Paul Ernest, M.D., Cataract Specialist and Founder of Specialty Eye Institute.

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