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What is a Cataract?

Good vision can improve overall health and safety, reveal new opportunities and reopen doors that previously seemed closed. Cataracts do not have to mean the end of great vision. Our commitment to care truly gives our patients the best opportunity to achieve their vision goals.

The natural lens of your eye is made mostly of water and protein. In most younger eyes, the lens is clear, allowing light to pass through to the retina so that light can be transmitted into signals to send to the brain. As you age, the proteins can begin to clump, gradually forming cloudy areas on the lens. This is a cataract.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Cataracts do not typically produce immediate, sight-threatening symptoms. In fact, you can have cataracts for years without even realizing it. As the cataract grows in size and opacity, you may begin to experience these symptoms:

  • Blurred or cloudy vision
  • Colors appear faded, dull or yellowed
  • Lamps such as headlights or streetlights may have glare or halos; sunlight or fluorescent lights may appear too bright
  • Poor night vision
  • Double or multiple vision in one eye
  • Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses
  • Eventual blindness if left untreated

Cataract Symptom Checker

Cataracts can eventually limit or prevent you from performing simple tasks such as reading, driving, seeing road signs and enjoying time with friends and family. Important Note: These symptoms are not limited to cataracts. If you are experiencing any vision problems, schedule an eye exam right away. Early diagnosis may prevent vision loss.

  • Nuclear cataracts: cloudiness in the center of the lens
  • Cortical cataracts: streaks at the sides of the lens
  • Posterior subcapsular cataracts: opaqueness at the back of the lens
  • Congenital cataracts: present at birth or developing in childhood
  • Secondary Cataracts: The majority of cataract surgery patients eventually develop so called secondary cataracts. This condition occurs when the clear posterior capsule within the eye, which supports the new artificial lens, becomes cloudy. It’s not the replacement lens, but the capsule that becomes cloudy. Using a YAG laser, Dr. Pendleton makes a small opening in the center of this capsule to allow light rays to re-focus on the retina and restore good vision. The procedure is performed in the office, is painless and takes only a few minutes.
  • Over age 60
  • Continuous exposure to ultraviolet light
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol consumption
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Certain medications
  • Previous eye surgery

If you think you have cataracts, we encourage you to schedule a cataract evaluation with the cataract specialists at Pendleton Eye center. We will help you to better understand the severity of your cataracts and the treatments available to you. During the evaluation we will perform a series of tests to diagnose the root cause of any vision disturbances you may be experiencing.

A Cataract Evalution at Pendleton Eye Center Includes:

  • Assessment of your overall vision (visual acuity)
  • Calculation of your current glasses prescription (refractive error measurement)
  • Evaluation of your lens health (cataract presence)
  • Evaluation of your retinal health
  • Identification of elevated eye pressure (glaucoma)
  • Review of your overall health
  • Recommend the optimal lens implant options

Your eyes will be dilated to allow our team to fully analyze your entire eye, so you may need to have someone drive you home. This evaluation may take up to 2 hours in our office, but we will make you feel as comfortable as possible during your time with us.

If your vision is slightly blurry, cataract treatment might not be necessary. When cataracts impair your vision, however, surgery is the only treatment option. The great news is that cataract surgery is an effective method to restore clear vision. At Pendleton Eye Center we offer two types of cataract surgery options as well as a variety of premium replacement lens options to help you achieve the vision you deserve to live the life you love.

Learn more about cataract surgery and the types of advanced lens options we have at Pendleton Eye Center.

Many patients don’t realize (prior to meeting with their cataract surgeon) that they have a choice for which type of lens implant they get. Your lifestyle will determine the type of lens that will be best suited for you! Our team will walk you through lifestyle questions aimed at helping you learn which type of lens would be best for you based on your vision goals. Do you want to see up close, far away, or equally well at both distances?

The most important thing to note as you prepare for your cataract exam is that there are a few different categories of lens implants for patients to choose from including:

  • Monofocal implants
  • Multifocal lens implants
  • Extended depth of focus implants
  • Toric implants
  • Light adjustable lens implants

We discuss advanced lens options in depth – learn more now!

Pendleton Eye Center Promise

We are committed to providing the most safe and effective treatments available to give you the best vision possible. We can’t wait to make a difference in your life through vision improvement.

Contact us today to schedule your appointment today!

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(760) 758-2008

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Serving North San Diego County

Oceanside

3637 Vista Way
Oceanside, CA 92056

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