When You Should Visit a Cataract Doctor in Asheville

If you have been told you have cataracts or fear they may be developing, it may be time to visit a cataract doctor in Asheville for an expert opinion. If cataracts are not removed, they can gradually grow into a larger size that significantly affects your vision. Cataracts come in many forms, from small and unnoticeable to large and invasive. To learn more about when to have a cataract removed by a cataract doctor in Asheville read below for this vital information. 

Since cataracts typically start out small, your cataract may not need to be removed immediately. Some doctors prefer to wait until a cataract becomes more of an interference before removal is recommended. Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States, so it is relatively safe. In spite of this, it is still considered a serious surgery, and some prefer to wait before performing surgery as it is often unnecessary until later and sometimes not necessary at all. Until cataracts interfere with your vision due to cloudiness, you can wait to have it removed by a cataract doctor in Asheville, but you should continue to have it monitored for growth regularly. 

When it's time to have your cataract removed, visit a cataract doctor in Asheville for the most experience and wisdom. We will provide you with the information, service, and expertise you need to have a cataract successfully extracted and to have your vision reinstated significantly. 

During the procedure by a cataract doctor in Asheville, a tiny incision will be created in the front surface of your eye. We will cut a small hole in the thin membrane that encloses your eye’s natural lens. The lens will be broken into tinier pieces with a laser or ultrasonic tool so it will be more safely and easily removed from your eye. The lens will be replaced by an intraocular lens, which is a thin, clear implant lens. In most cases, your vision will be completely restored, and you will have a short healing process. You may not even need reading glasses afterward. No stitches will be needed. You will need to visit again a few weeks after the surgery so we can monitor how your eye has healed.

Only in rare cases do patients experience side effects like bleeding, discomfort, or vision impairment. However, if you do experience complications, a cataract doctor in Asheville can treat you with medications or a follow-up procedure that will cure any issues. Complications should not be a serious concern, as they are so rare. 

As you develop more questions concerning cataracts, contact our office to learn more. We provide you with all the information you need from a licensed cataract doctor in Asheville. When you visit our office to have cataracts examined or removed, know you will be in the best hands possible for this procedure, and you can look forward to perfected, long-lived, and healthy vision. If you have not recently had your eyes examined, do not forget to also schedule an appointment for an annual exam.

How to Know if You Need Emergency Eye Care

As an eye doctor clinic, we have vast experience in dealing with any emergency eye care needs. If you think you are experiencing symptoms that may indicate you need eye care, visit our office immediately. Many people are unsure of how to tell when an eye problem needs serious attention, but the best way to stay ahead of the need for emergency eye care is by visiting your eye doctor regularly. In some cases, however, there may be obvious indications that emergency eye care is needed.

You should have your eyes examined by a professional regularly; we suggest patients visit every one to three years. However, the American Optometric Association recommends that adults over age 61 should visit an eye doctor annually, regardless of whether or not they currently wear lenses or have other risk factors. The purpose of these examinations is to detect any changes to your vision and discover any potential eye conditions that could be currently developing. Early detection is key to limiting the effects of an eye disease or condition that may worsen gradually. 

In some cases, even with proper annual eye examinations, eye emergencies can occur. Some indications that you need emergency eye care may present themselves with these symptoms:

• Sudden blurred or double vision
• Distorted vision
• Black spotting in vision or dark spots in the center of vision
• Flashes of light that are not actually occurring
• Halos around light
• Sudden disappearance of vision in one or both eyes or curtain-like vision loss
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Eye injury or pain
• Redness or discharge around one or both eyes

These symptoms often indicate a bigger problem is at hand. Some issues that could occur with the symptoms listed above are:

• Retina detachment from the underlying layer of blood vessels
• Glaucoma and/or permanent damage to the eye's optic nerve
• Macular holes or degeneration

If these eye conditions are not treated immediately with emergency eye care, you could face permanent vision loss. The symptoms listed above could also be indicators of bigger health issues like stroke or heart disease. It is imperative to your health that you seek out emergency eye care immediately if you are experiencing any of the stated indicators or other abnormal vision problems. 

Some symptoms that indicate you need to have your vision checked for changes that may not necessarily be emergencies include:

• Problems focusing on close or distant objects
• Difficulty adjusting to changes in light
• Headaches or squinting related to light or eyesight
• Excessive itching or watering eyes
• Eye strain

These are typically just signs you may need to wear corrective lenses, and they are common with age.

Don’t put your eye health on the back burner, because it can affect all aspects of your life, and the lack of treatment could lead to permanent eye damage or blindness. If you have more questions regarding how to know if you need emergency eye care, don’t hesitate to call or visit our office for more information.