World Sight Day 2020

08th, Sep 2022

World Sight Day is an annual day of awareness to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment.

Did you know, it is estimated that 30% of people 65 years or older have a visually impairing cataract in one or both eyes.

In many cases, cataracts are age-related, usually appearing first when a person is in his or her 40’s or 50’s, but not affecting vision until after 60 years of age. In other cases, cataracts may be related to eye trauma, long-term diabetes, corticosteroid medications or radiation treatments.

What are the symptoms of Cataracts?

Cloudy Vision
One of the most obvious signs of early-stage cataracts is the appearance of noticeable fuzzy spots in your field of vision. Usually starting out small, however over time they will develop and worsen, making daily activities harder than they were before.
 
Difficulty Seeing at Night / Increased Light Sensitivity
Patients with early-stage cataracts also report gradual worsening of night-time vision. During the day patients may also find discomfort with bright lights.
 
Appearance of Halos and Glare
As the eye lens hardens and becomes cloudy, cataracts sufferers may notice the appearance of halos and glare in their field of vision.
 
Eye Examination Results
In the earliest stages of cataracts, a person may have difficulty noticing changes to their vision. That’s why regular eye examinations are strongly recommended for older adults. Ophthalmologists can detect the presence of cataracts before sufferers report any noticeable vision problems.

Can we slow down the progression of Cataracts?

Cataracts do not always develop quickly, which will give you time to consider different options of treatment. However, there are several things you can do to help slow down the progression of cataracts such as:

• Eating a healthy diet full of leafy greens, nuts and foods rich in omega 3.
• Protecting your eyes when outdoors by wearing sunglasses or hats.
• Make sure to attend regular eye appointments to monitor any cataracts.

What treatments are available for Cataracts?

At Kingsbridge Private Hospital Sligo we ensure you are in the best care possible. Our surgeon will explain how to prepare for your operation before the procedure.
 
Our Consultant ophthalmologists will measure your eye and vision. These tests will help to decide which artificial lens will be best for you, so your vision is as good as possible after the surgery.
 
Cataract surgery is usually done as a day case. This means you can have the procedure and go home the same day.
 
The operation is usually done under a local anaesthesia. This completely blocks pain from the area around your eye and you will stay awake during the procedure. You may be given the local anaesthetic as eye drops or an injection. 

If you would like to book a consultation, please contact us on 071 916 2649 or by emailing sligoadmin@kingsbridgeprivatehospital.ie

For further information on Cataract Surgery, please click here

Sources: 
https://www.goodeyes.com/blog/early-signs-of-cataracts

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