Did you know cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in Canada affecting over 3.4 million people?
The tricky part? Many Canadians don’t realize they have cataracts until their vision is already impacted. Specsavers Clinical Services Director Naomi Barber explains, “Cataracts often develop slowly and without symptoms, and can significantly impact one’s vision, which is why regular eye exams are so important.”
Cataracts occur when cloudy patches form in the eye’s lens, leading to blurry or misty vision. While they typically begin developing in our 50s and 60s, UV exposure, smoking, diabetes, and genetics can also play a role.
Quick facts:
- Cataracts are a natural, age-related change that usually develop slowly over many years.
- Cataracts often develop without symptoms; that’s why regular eye exams are key to early detection and will help your optometrist stay ahead of changes in your vision.
- A 3D scan, known as optimal coherence tomography (OCT), can help your optometrist better assess the health of your eyes and detect other causes that may be contributing to visual impairment in addition to cataracts.
- Cataract surgery is low-risk and highly effective, with many patients reporting life-changing improvements in vision.