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Category: Cataracts

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Aging doesn’t guarantee that you will develop cataracts in one or both eyes. But as an often age-related condition, your risk certainly increases with age. Fortunately, it’s a highly treatable condition and can often be managed without surgery as a first step.

Regular eye examinations are an important part of the early detection of cataracts because they often begin developing with little to no symptoms. And if you’re wondering whether you can have a cataract in one eye, the answer is yes. However, once you have a cataract, the chances are high that it won’t stop at one eye.

What Are Cataracts?

Our eyes have clear lenses that transmit light into the retina with minimal scattering. For many people, this lens grows cloudy or even changes color and becomes opaque over time; this is a cataract.

Several types of cataracts can begin in different areas of the lens. For example, some begin at the edge of your lens. These often go undiagnosed in their early development and can actually temporarily improve your reading vision. Or, you can have them develop in the center of the lens or behind it. Both of these types will change your vision quicker and more drastically.

The other possibility is a congenital cataract which is a cataract that affects young children. Sometimes a child is born with a cataract because of a genetic predisposition. Other times they develop them very early in life, possibly due to infection or eye trauma.

Can You Have a Cataract in One Eye?

It’s 100% possible that you may develop a cataract in one eye. In addition, they are not an infectious disease, so they won’t spread to the other like an infection. However, in most cases of a person developing a cataract in one eye, they will almost always get one in the other eye too.

The other possibility is that you develop cataracts in both eyes simultaneously, But it’s possible they won’t grow at the same rate. This is another reason that cataracts often go undetected without an eye examination. When the cataract is worse in one eye, the other eye can sometimes overcompensate for vision loss so that you don’t notice it.

Risk Factors for Cataracts

Age is a significant risk factor for cataracts. In fact, more than 50% of Americans over the age of 80 have cataracts or have had them removed with surgery. But age isn’t the only thing that increases our risk of developing cataracts.

Here are several things that can contribute to developing cataracts:

Preventing Cataracts

Obviously, we can’t prevent aging, which is a major cause of cataracts, but some things you can do to reduce your risk of cataracts are:

A microscope used for cataract surgery seen over the shoulder of an ophthalmologist.

Treating Cataracts

In many cases, especially in the early development of cataracts, the condition can be managed without surgery. For example, a change in prescription for your glasses or contact lenses can sometimes compensate for vision loss.

Additionally, increasing light for activities like reading can also help. However, when the point comes that the cataracts are affecting your ability to perform your daily activities, it’s probably time to chat with your ophthalmologist about your surgical options.

During cataract surgery, the eye doctor removes the old, cloudy lens and replaces it with an intraocular lens (IOL). 

IOL Options

The IOL is one of the primary factors determining the result of cataract surgery. A common and typically the cheapest option is a regular IOL that is custom-shaped to fit your unique cornea. However, there are some options on the market where an IOL is made to correct one or more focal points.

Not everyone is a candidate, though. So, your best bet is to discuss your options with your eye doctor. Once they’ve taken eye measurements during a cataract surgery consultation, they can present your available options to you and explain the pros and cons of each.

Find Out More About Your Options

Don’t let cataracts control your life. Give our office a shout today if you’ve noticed any unusual symptoms or if it’s time for your next comprehensive eye exam. Our helpful and knowledgeable staff at Griffey Eye Care are available to answer all your questions. And they are happy to book you in for a time that’s convenient for you.

Can You Have a Cataract in One Eye?

A close up of two eyes side by side, one eye showing a cataract and one eye appearing normal.

Aging doesn’t guarantee that you will develop cataracts in one or both eyes. But as an often age-related condition, your risk certainly increases with age. Fortunately, it’s a highly treatable condition and can often be managed without surgery as a first step. Regular eye examinations are an important part of the early detection of cataracts […]

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Is Blurred Vision After Cataract Surgery Normal?

An older woman rubs her eyes while holding a pair of glasses in her other hand.

Cataract surgery can help remove the cloudy lens affecting your vision, improving your sight. If you receive this procedure, is blurry vision normal after surgery? Is blurriness nothing to worry about, or should you contact your eye doctor?  Continue reading to learn more about cataracts, including if blurry vision is normal after cataract surgery. Let’s […]

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What Increases Your Risk of Cataracts?

What Increases Your Risk of Cataracts? Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness. But while cataracts are treatable, they can also be preventable. Which opens the door to questioning: “What increases my risk of cataracts?” or “How do I protect myself from getting cataracts?”  Cataracts result from and are considered a normal consequence […]

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Can Cataracts Come Back?

Monitoring your eye health is a daily commitment, especially when dealing with something like cataracts. Getting treatment for cataracts from your eye doctor is an essential step, but what comes after? Let’s look at what cataracts are and what can cause them, including if they can come back after being removed.  What Are Cataracts? A […]

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Does Everyone Get Cataracts?

Maintaining sound eye care habits is essential to eye health, whether you’re keeping up with your doctors on the latest procedures or practicing good eye health habits. Dealing with cataracts is one of those crucial eye health procedures you can monitor. But does everyone get cataracts? Let’s explore what cataracts are, their symptoms, risk factors, […]

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Traditional and Laser Surgery Removes Cataracts Effectively

Poor night vision. Cloudy or blurry images. Unpleasant glare from car headlights. Although most people who have symptoms of cataracts are over the age of 80, many people begin to notice these vision changes when they are in their forties. “Younger people can have cataracts, too, especially diabetics,” said Dr. Paul M. Griffey, a third-generation […]

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