Cataracts

Cataracts are incredibly common, affecting more than half of adults 80 and older. The good news is that they’re also highly treatable. At Fremont Eye Center, board-certified ophthalmologist and eye surgeon Ho Sun Choi, MD, offers complete care for cataracts, including cataract surgery. To learn more about potential treatment options, make an appointment today. Call the Fremont, California office, or click the online booking feature.

What are cataracts?

A cataract occurs when the natural lens of your eye becomes cloudy as a result of age or trauma. Your eye lenses are naturally clear, but over time, proteins and fibers in them break down, causing a buildup that can affect your vision.

Minor cataracts don’t always require treatment, but as they progress, they can make daily activities such as driving and reading challenging. Thankfully, you don’t have to accept these changes. Modern treatments, like cataract surgery, can help restore your vision.

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

Common symptoms of cataracts include:

• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Halos or starbursts around lights at night
• Trouble reading in low light
• Fading or yellowing of colors
• Double vision in one eye

Early on, cataracts affect only a small portion of the eye’s lens, but as they progress, symptoms often become more noticeable. If you’re experiencing any vision-related issues, don’t wait to determine the underlying cause. 

How are cataracts diagnosed?

Dr. Choi reviews your health history and asks about your symptoms, including when you first noticed blurry vision and whether it’s worsened over time. 

He then completes a comprehensive eye exam, including a visual acuity test, an intraocular pressure test, and a slit-lamp examination to look for irregularities in your eyes. You may also need to fill out a questionnaire about how recent changes in your vision affect daily activities, such as driving and reading.

If Dr. Choi confirms that you have cataracts, he makes personalized treatment recommendations.

How are cataracts treated?

Minor cataracts can often be managed with eyeglasses or contact lenses. But if your cataracts affect your quality of life, Dr. Choi may recommend cataract surgery. 

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that replaces the natural lens of your eyes with an artificial one. There are several types of artificial lenses, including monofocal, multifocal, and toric lenses. Dr. Choi recommends the lens that will best support your lifestyle and overall vision.

If you need cataract surgery in both eyes, Dr. Choi typically schedules the procedures several weeks apart, so the first eye has plenty of time to heal. 

To learn more about treatment for cataracts, make an appointment at Fremont Eye Center today by calling the office or by clicking the online booking tool.