Cataracts

Cataracts services offered in New York, NY

Cataracts are a common vision issue that can develop slowly over time, making everyday tasks like reading or driving more difficult. At Hamilton Vistasite Eye Care in Hamilton Heights, New York, optometrists Cindy Serra, OD, and Nina Saa, OD, offer expert cataract evaluations and ongoing care to help manage your eye health. If you’ve noticed cloudy or blurred vision, schedule an appointment today by phone or online to get the support you need.

Cataracts Q & A

What are cataracts?

Cataracts develop when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, preventing light from passing through properly and causing vision to appear blurred or hazy. This clouding usually happens slowly over time, and many people may not notice symptoms right away.

Common symptoms of cataracts include:

Blurry or foggy vision
Difficulty seeing at night or in low light
Increased sensitivity to glare from lights
Fading or yellowing of colors
Double vision in one eye
Frequent prescription changes for glasses or contacts

What causes cataracts?

The most common cause of cataracts is aging, but other risk factors include:

Diabetes
Prolonged UV exposure
Smoking
Previous eye injuries or surgeries
Long-term use of corticosteroid medications
Family history of cataracts

As the proteins in the lens break down and clump together, they gradually form the cloudy area known as a cataract. Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes, though they don’t spread from one eye to the other.

How are cataracts diagnosed and managed?

During a comprehensive eye exam, your Hamilton Vistasite Eye Care provider will check for signs of cataracts using special equipment that measures your vision and examines your eye’s lens. If cataracts are present but not yet severe, changes to your glasses or contact lens prescription may temporarily improve your vision.

As cataracts progress, however, surgery becomes the only effective treatment. Cataract surgery is a safe, common outpatient procedure in which the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens (intraocular lens or IOL). Your optometrist will refer you to a trusted ophthalmologist when surgery becomes necessary and will continue co-managing your care afterward.

When should I get checked for cataracts?

If you’re over age 60 or experiencing any changes in your vision, regular eye exams are essential. Early detection of cataracts can help you manage symptoms effectively and plan ahead for treatment if needed.

Schedule your cataract evaluation at Hamilton Vistasite Eye Care today and take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.