June is Cataract Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness of the warning signs of cataracts, one of the most preventable causes of blindness. Cataracts are opaque, dense formations over the lens of the eye. These are typically age-related, and can even occur soon after some kind of blunt force trauma to the eye, like an accident. Early symptoms of cataracts can include blurred or slightly cloudy vision. This can make it difficult for the person to perform routine activities, like reading a book.
Not everybody who suffers from cataracts will require surgery. In many cases, the condition can be corrected using prescription glasses. However, if the condition progresses, and vision becomes worse, your doctor may prescribe surgery to remove the cataract. The surgery is fairly simple and performed frequently in the U.S. every year.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that a person looks for several signs before he decides to go in for cataract surgery. Are you able to perform your daily or work activities without any hindrance or obstruction from blurred vision? Are you able to drive safely at night? Are you able to safely participate in recreational activities or sports activities like you used to before, without any visual obstructions? Have you used prescription glasses, or tried other therapies to treat your cataracts, and have reached maximum improvement with the use of these techniques? If the answer to all these questions is yes, then you might have to consider cataract surgery. Speak to your doctor about the pros and cons of the surgery.
Surgery may not always be successful in removing cataracts, and the person may continue to suffer from visual impairment. If you suffer from visual impairment that makes it difficult for you to work and earn a living, talk to Social Security disability attorney Lisa Siegel about your eligibility for a claim for benefits.