Do you have cataracts that make it more challenging to see or participate in your favorite activities? You’re not alone, as many people have cataracts.
They are a prevalent age-related eye condition. If you have cataracts, you may not even notice them at first since they can develop so slowly.
Symptoms may take a long time to appear, but they can quickly affect your vision in significant ways. Patients with advanced cataracts can even struggle to do daily tasks and may feel unsafe because of poor eyesight.
Luckily, cataracts are entirely treatable. Cataract surgery is the only way to eradicate your cataracts. Once removed, you’ll be able to see clearly once more. With your vision back, you’ll be able to feel safe again. Keep reading to learn 5 reasons why cataract surgery can make you feel safer!
1. You’ll Be Able to See Where You’re Going
One of the primary symptoms of cataracts is blurry vision. Cataracts form inside your eye’s natural lens. As this occurs, it makes it harder to see and makes the lens cloudy rather than opaque.
When the lens is cloudy, it affects your ability to see clearly, leading to blurry vision. Glasses and contact lenses cannot correct this blurry vision since it isn’t due to a refractive error.
Eventually, when your cataracts are advanced enough, you may struggle to make out anything at all and will be severely visually impaired. Walking around on your own can be dangerous when you can’t see.
But cataract surgery can completely restore your vision, allowing you to see again so you can walk around on your own and feel safe. Without worrying about cataracts, you can confidently walk around your home knowing you won’t injure yourself because of an inability to see.
2. You’ll Be More Comfortable in Social Settings
Poor night vision, light sensitivity, and intense glare and halos around light sources are some of the primary symptoms of having cataracts. These symptoms can make it uncomfortable to be in certain settings, like out at restaurants or bars at night.
Many social settings are dimly lit or have bright lights that contrast with an otherwise dark environment. When it’s too dark, keeping your eyes open can be much more challenging if you have advanced cataracts.
Many people with advanced cataracts go out less for this reason. They may also feel embarrassed about their declining vision and be less inclined to socialize.
Becoming isolated when you can’t see well is also dangerous for your mental and physical health. You may become depressed, and when left on your own, you’re more likely to fall or have an accident due to poor vision.
With cataract surgery, you’ll be able to go out again and be around the people you love. When you can see again, you can regain your confidence and spend more time around others.
3. You’ll Be Able to Drive at Night
Because of poor night vision, light sensitivity, and intense glare, it can also be problematic when driving at night. Many people with advanced cataracts struggle to drive after dark, which may become dangerous.
Since it’s harder to see in the dark, it’s harder to do almost anything at night. But the headlights and street lights designed to help you see when it’s dark can make driving even more hazardous if you have cataracts. The glare from headlights and streetlights can be blinding.
If your cataracts are advanced enough that you find it nearly impossible to drive at night, you should stop trying to do so. It’s a good sign that it’s time to start considering having cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery will help you see again, even at night, and your eyes will no longer feel as sensitive. You’ll feel safer behind the wheel, no matter the time of day.
There’s nothing more inconvenient than not being able to drive at night. Cataract surgery is an easy way to regain your autonomy and independence.
You’ll no longer need to depend on other people to get where you need to go because of poor sight. Instead, you can look forward to clearer vision for many years to come!
4. You’ll Be Able to See Hazards More Easily
Another symptom of cataracts that don’t receive as much attention is the decreased ability to see color contrast. People with advanced cataracts may struggle to differentiate colors or see objects on a similarly colored background.
Struggling to see contrast occurs because cataracts can make everything appear more yellow. As a result, all colors start looking more yellow than they are and more similar. The most obvious example is when white things start looking yellow, even when you know, they are white and not the new hue you’re seeing.
If you cannot see the contrast between some objects and their background, it can make it harder to see when something is in your way. It’s easier to bump or even crash into something if it blends into the background.
It can be even harder to notice hazards if it’s also dark out. Once you get cataract surgery, you’ll be able to see colors more clearly again.
Not only will this help you feel safer, but it’ll brighten up your world. Those with cataracts often remark that it feels like looking at the world through a dirty window.
When everything around you looks muted, it can affect your outlook on life. After removing your cataracts, you may feel stunned at the beauty surrounding you.
Seeing the world in its proper color can make a big difference in your mental health!
5. You’ll Be More Independent
When you can see again after you have cataract surgery, you’ll be able to do more on your own. You’ll be able to drive at night, go out after dark, and see everyday hazards that may have prevented you from living your normal life.
After removing your cataracts, you can get your life back and feel safer on your own. If you struggle in your daily life due to cataracts, don’t wait any longer.
Schedule an appointment today at New England Eye Center in Boston, MA, to have your cataract surgery consultation and take the first step towards regaining your vision.
