Cataract Diagnosis & Co-Management
Herndon, VA
If you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts, you may wonder if cataract surgery is right around the corner. Not to worry. There are many preventive steps you can take to slow the progression of cataracts and preserve your vision. That doesn’t mean you won’t eventually need surgery, but you can at least delay the need for quite a while.
At Beyond Eyecare, our comprehensive eye exams include thorough evaluations to diagnose cataracts. We use advanced technology and techniques to detect cataracts early and monitor their progression. If cataracts are detected, Dr. Khaldieh will discuss your condition, explain the findings, and develop a personalized plan to manage your vision and slow the progression of the cataracts. The following are strategies to help manage vision loss and prevent cataract progression:
Protect your eyes from the sun
The National Eye Institute recommends protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) and high-energy visible (HEV) rays by always wearing high-quality sunglasses while outdoors. Look for sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV rays and absorb most HEV rays with large lenses or a close-fitting wraparound style. Remember that the peak hours for sun exposure are between 10 am and 3 pm or 11 am and 4 pm during daylight savings time and that the sun’s rays are strong enough to pass through clouds, so you need your sunglasses every day.
Limit steroid usage
Steroid eye drops are routinely prescribed to treat dry eyes or an arthritic flare-up in the eyes. Unfortunately, they can also speed up the progression of cataracts. Talk to our optometrist about how you can manage both conditions without inadvertently making your cataracts worse and hastening the need for surgery.
Check your medications
There are over 300 commonly prescribed medications with side effects that may impact cataract progression. Since your primary care physician may not have access to your eye doctor’s medical records, be sure to ask your doctor if your current medications will affect your cataracts. If you must stay on the medication, it’s even more important to avoid sunlight during peak hours and to wear sunglasses.
Quit smoking
Over time, the damage from smoking can double or triple an individual’s risk of developing cataracts. By quitting smoking, you can slow the progression of cataracts.
Eat eye healthy
Studies have shown that certain vitamins and nutrients may reduce age-related decline in eye health, particularly antioxidants. If you’ve already been diagnosed with cataracts, adding foods rich in antioxidants to your diet will help slow the progression. Here are some examples to get you started: dark chocolate, blueberries, strawberries, pecans, carrots, sweet potatoes, artichokes, kale, red cabbage, beans, beets, spinach, apples, and plums.
More about eating eye healthy
Doctors also recommend eating more fish high in omega-3 fatty acids. This has been linked to a reduced risk of cataracts or their progression. You may also consider taking a multivitamin that contains Vitamin C and E. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist about how you might adopt a healthy eating plan that’s designed to prevent cataracts.
Fortunately, making these healthy modifications to your diet can prevent many other lifestyle diseases such as diabetes. Studies have shown that a diet high in processed carbohydrates can increase your risk of both developing cataracts and speeding up its progression. It’s important to develop a plan that works for you and supports your holistic health.
When surgery becomes necessary
When cataracts advance to the point where surgery is the best option, our team at Beyond Eyecare will refer you to a trusted ophthalmologist for the procedure. We will coordinate closely with your surgeon to ensure you receive the highest standard of care before, during, and after surgery. After surgery, we will schedule follow-up appointments to help you recover smoothly and maintain optimal vision health.
Take control of your cataract diagnosis by getting regular eye exams at our office, communicating with your doctor, and putting these tips into practice. You’ll have better vision and prevent the need for cataract surgery in the near future. Contact us today to schedule your appointment or book an appointment online and start managing your cataracts effectively.