A woman smiles outdoors, holding her hands up to shield her face from the sunlight.

What Are Common Risk Factors for Cataracts?

/0 Comments/in /by

Are you worried about getting cataracts or suspect that you might have them already? Though anyone can get this lens clouding condition, certain factors increase the risk. At Lappen Eye Care, our eye doctors in McMurray, Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and South Hills, PA, offer diagnostics and treatment for cataracts.

Genetics

Do cataracts run in your family? Genetic factors can increase the risk of being born with this condition or developing it as you get older. You can’t do much to change this — but being familiar with your family history can help ensure you receive testing to find it early.

Environmental Factors

Certain factors in your surroundings may raise your chance of having cataracts, such as:

  • Air pollution
  • Exposure to tobacco smoke
  • Pesticides and other chemicals used in industrial settings
  • UV exposure from sunlight over the years
  • Alcohol consumption

Medical Conditions

Do you have any underlying health issues? Some of these may be increasing your risk of developing cataracts, such as high blood sugar or diabetes. Managing these may help reduce this risk.

Eye Conditions and Treatments

Some eye conditions, like uveitis, may also raise your chance of having cataracts. Undergoing some eye-related procedures, like treatment for glaucoma, is another risk factor.

Medications

Certain types of medication are associated with a higher chance of developing cataracts. The use of corticosteroids is among these medicines, especially when used on a long-term basis. Switching to stopping these medications may help lower your cataract risk.

Schedule an Appointment for Cataract Testing or Treatment Today!

Do you have any risk factors for this eye condition? Our optometry team at Lappen Eye Care can check for and treat cataracts in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, South Hills, and McMurray, PA, helping you maintain your vision.

A woman sits at a desk with a laptop, holding her glasses and rubbing her eyes, appearing tired or stressed. Papers and a cup of coffee are on the table.

3 Initial Signs of Cataracts

/0 Comments/in /by

Cataracts are a prevalent condition, with millions of people experiencing them at some point in their lives (usually after they turn 60). However, just because it’s common doesn’t mean that everyone knows the symptoms accompanying the disorder. Below, we’ll look at what to watch, particularly if you’re a smoker or cataracts run in your family.

1. Blurry Vision

People often refer to cataract vision in Pittsburgh, PA as fuzzy. If it looks like you’re looking through glass that needs to be wiped down, it may be a sign that your once-clear eye lens is starting to yellow. You may also see certain colors as more faded or have trouble telling one color from another.

2. Dim Vision

If you constantly need more light in your life, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have cataracts. However, it’s also important to assume that needing more light to read or see everyday items isn’t just a sign of getting older. You may also find that bright light is more startling to you than it used to be, requiring you to instantly shield your eyes from the glare.

3. Double Vision

If you’re experiencing double in one eye, this could be a sign of cataracts. It’s important to know that cataracts are not contagious and often develop at different points in your life (if you get them in both eyes). If you have double vision in both eyes, an eye doctor in Pittsburgh, PA might point out that it’s more likely a sign of another issue rather than having cataracts in both eyes.

Finding Help for Cataracts in Pittsburgh

Most people know by now that cataract surgery is one of the fastest, easiest ways to correct the problem. Plus, there are multiple other ways to treat the issue if you don’t need surgery. If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, contact the staff at Lappen Eye Care to learn more about how to get it diagnosed and how we can help.3 Initial Signs of Cataracts

Close-up of a human eye with a cataract, showing a cloudy, opaque area in the center of the pupil surrounded by a brown and green iris.

Do Cataracts Change Your Eye Color?

/0 Comments/in /by

Cataracts are a type of lens disorder, one that affects how you perceive light and objects surrounding you. While the lens has nothing to do with the iris, it is possible for cataracts to change how your eyes look. We’ll take a deeper diver into why this is, and what can be done to slow or stop the progression.

What Are Cataracts?

A cataract in Pittsburgh, PA refers to the clouding of the lens of the eye. This typically occurs in older people, but can happen to younger children and middle-aged adults too. You can think of cataracts like you might a piece of blank, white paper. It starts off as pristine, but if it’s left out in the sunlight or even if it’s kept in artificial light, it will start to yellow or fade over time.

Do Cataracts Change Your Eye Color?

On their own, cataracts don’t change your eye color. However, depending on the person, the protein breakdown in the lens can cause yellowing, which can affect how the light passes to the iris. So, you may find that your eyes look duller or faded. In extreme cases, cataracts change the color of your pupil from black to white.

Cataracts in Pittsburgh, PA 

Cataracts are an extremely common disorder, which is actually good news for patients who want treatment options. From eyewear to surgery, the righteye doctor in Pittsburgh, PA can both monitor the progression of your cataracts and provide you with the advice you need to make smarter decisions about your optical health.

At Lappen Eye Care, with locations in Pittsburgh, Greensbug, and McMurray, our staff is here to intervene before your cataracts have the chance to impact your quality of life.

Close-up of a human eye with a cloudy, whitish spot on the pupil, indicating the presence of a cataract.

I Have Cataracts. Will I Need Surgery?

/0 Comments/in /by

Cataracts are a condition that affects many people, however, not everyone gets surgery for their cataracts. Your eye doctor in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area can help you decide if cataract surgery is right for you. By taking care of your eyes and getting regular eye exams, you may be able to avoid cataract surgery.

How Eye Doctors Usually Treat Cataracts

Most eye doctors avoid treating cataracts until the cataracts start to affect quality of life. Until that point, most eye doctors will recommend glasses to help sharpen their patient’s vision. When your cataracts start to impact your quality of life, then your eye doctor will recommend surgery.

Signs That You Need Cataract Surgery

Your eye doctor may recommend cataract surgery if you’re no longer able to do some of the things you previously could do. For example, if you’re no longer able to drive safely, either at night or during the day, your eye doctor may recommend cataract surgery. Your eye doctor may also recommend cataract surgery if you are no longer able to enjoy activities like reading or watching television.

To keep an eye on your cataracts, your eye doctor will recommend making regular appointments for eye exams. This way, your eye doctor can decide when it’s time to move forward with surgery or change your prescription to ensure that you’re able to see clearly.

Questions? Talk to Your Eye Doctor in Pittsburgh and the Surrounding Area

Have questions about cataracts? Talk to your eye doctor during your next eye exam in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. At Lappen Eye Care, we can help. Call today to make an appointment.

A woman in a gray shirt touches her face with her hand, eyes closed, appearing tired or stressed, against a plain white background.

Glaucoma Vs. Cataracts: Understanding the Two Conditions

/0 Comments/in , /by

Glaucoma and cataracts are two common optical conditions, and because they’re both experienced by older people, they have a way of being confused. We’ll look at how they affect the eye and what people should know about keeping them at bay.

The Two Conditions

Glaucoma in Pittsburgh, PA, is a type of nerve damage, one that’s usually caused by too much pressure in the eyeball. The more fluid there is, the more strain it will put on the nerve. Cataracts are a type of lens damage, one that’s usually caused by the standard aging process. What was once a clear lens over the eye, helping people see in crystal clarity, can become yellowed over time. Both conditions can result in vision loss, so it’s important to have a handle on how your eyesight changes over time.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of glaucoma and cataracts have some degree of overlap. For both, it’s common to have blurry vision or sensitivity in the eye. The main difference is that the pressure of glaucoma is likely to manifest in a headache or a halo effect around lights. In general, neither condition requires emergency treatment, with the exception being angle-closure glaucoma. This results in intense and sudden pain, visual disturbance, and nausea.

See an Optometrist in McMurray, PA

If you want to determine your risk level for either condition or catch the problem as early as possible, it starts with seeing the right optometrist. With optometry offices in Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and McMurray, the staff at Lappen Eye Care is here to monitor your eyes over time. We can also give you anything from diet tips to lifestyle changes that may help curb your odds of developing either condition.