Aspirus Ophthalmologist Shares Signs of Cataracts

Our senses give us information about our surroundings, but the one we rely on most is our vision. More than 24 million Americans over the age of 40 are living with cataracts. It is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States.

“A cataract is not a disease, but more of an aging of your eyes,” said Dr. Thomas O’Malley, ophthalmologist with Aspirus Health in Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids. “As your eyes age, the normal lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. Cataracts can interfere with reading, driving, and even lead to blindness.”

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens, which blocks or changes the passage of light into the eye. The lens of the eye is located behind the pupil and the iris. The lens is normally transparent.

“Your vision may become blurry or dim because the cataract stops any light from properly passing through the retina,” Dr. O’Malley said. Signs of cataracts include:

• Clouded, blurred or dim vision
• Double vision in a single eye
• Decreased color sensitivity
• Poor night vision
• Seeing “halos” around lights
• Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions

There are also factors that increase your risk of cataracts, including:

• Increasing age
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Long-term steroid use
• Previous eye injuries
• Long-term exposure to UV rays from the sun

Although it is the world’s leading cause of vision loss, cataracts are treatable. Aspirus Health offers quality eyecare services, treatments, and surgical procedures in Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids. For more information, call 715.342.7825 or visit aspirus.org/eye-care-surgery.