Is Your Vision Becoming Cloudy and Blurry? You May Have Cataracts

By Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS –

Of the many changes that happen with age, cataracts are one of the most inevitable. They affect nearly 20.5 million people in the U.S. age 40 and older. Cataracts may be unnoticeable at first, but as they develop, they begin to interfere with your lifestyle.

What is a cataract? As you age, the lenses in your eyes become cloudy, causing blurry vision, sensitivity, glares and rings of light known as halos — often at night and while driving. Surgery is the only way a cataract can be removed. However, if symptoms from a cataract are mild, a change of glasses may be all that is needed to function more comfortably for a while. There are no medications, eye drops, dietary supplements, exercises or optical devices that have been shown to prevent or cure cataracts. Protection from excessive sunlight may help prevent or slow the progression of cataracts. Sunglasses that screen out ultraviolet (UV) light rays or regular eyeglasses with a clear, anti UV coating offer this protection.

Cataract surgery should be considered when cataracts interfere with your ability to live your desired lifestyle or perform daily tasks. When you have a cataract that is causing visual symptoms, these symptoms will not improve without treatment.

In May of 2012, Dr. Jonathan Frantz introduced Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery to southwest Florida. This was the biggest advancement in cataract surgery in 20 years. Recently, he added the ORA (Optiwave Refractive Analysis) System with VerifEye to continuously monitor the measurements of a patient’s eye during their cataract surgery. “The instantaneous feedback that I get from the VerifEye has proven to be invaluable for making minor adjustments in the surgical suite that allows me to confidently refine a patient’s lens power for an optimal visual outcome,” said Dr. Frantz.

If you have been diagnosed or think you may have cataracts, Dr. Frantz invites you to attend one of his upcoming seminars to learn more about cataracts and their symptoms.  He will also explain the difference between traditional cataract surgery and the bladeless laser cataract procedure and discuss the various intraocular lens options. Our January seminars are Tuesday, January 21 at 12:30 pm in our Fort Myers office, 12731 New Brittany Blvd. and on Wednesday, January 22 at noon in our Naples office, 2100 Tamiami Trail. To make reservations for a seminar, or to schedule an appointment, call our Fort Myers office at 239.418.0999 or Naples office at 239.430.3939 or visit our website at www.BetterVision.net.

Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS, is named in The Guide to America’s Top Ophthalmologists. He and his team of doctors at Frantz EyeCare offer a broad spectrum of patient-focused comprehensive care from eye exams and eyewear to bladeless laser cataract removal, treatment of eye diseases, bladeless iLASIK laser vision correction, and eyelid surgery with office locations in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Punta Gorda, Lehigh Acres, and Naples.

To make an appointment online, visit www.bettervision.net or call Frantz EyeCare at 239-418-0999.