Cataracts in Seattle, WA

Cataracts are usually a natural part of the aging process. After the age of 40, proteins within the eyes' lenses start to degrade or lump together. The opacity resulting from cataracts eventually worsens and keeps light from hitting the retina the way it needs to. This fogging of the lens of the eye causes worsening vision, and typically, complete blindness if not discovered early and treated correctly.

Dr. Scott Campbell and his staff can detect and address cataracts in the earliest stages and guide you in successfully navigating progressing symptoms. At SPEX, we treat people who have cataracts nearly every day. Developing cataracts is quite common — so common that cataract surgery is the leading surgery performed in the United States. Approximately two million individuals have cataract surgery every year. Cataracts usually form quite slowly so patients with the initial stages typically are not even aware of their condition. Slow-forming cataracts are a major reason why having a comprehensive eye exam at least every two years is critical to your overall eye health.

Call our Seattle, WA office soon to schedule a comprehensive exam or see how we can help you treat your cataracts.

The most common and noticeable symptom of cataracts is cloudiness in the lens of the eye. At first, this may not affect your vision, but as the cataract grows over time, you may start to notice that the world looks dim, blurry, or otherwise obscured. Other signs of cataracts include "halos" (bright rings that appear in your vision from light sources), sensitivity to light, trouble seeing at night, and double vision. You may also experience sudden or frequent changes in your vision. The symptoms of cataracts tend to come on slowly. If you ever notice pain or changes in your vision, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Campbell and our team as soon as you can to start diagnosis and treatment for cataracts.

To determine whether a person has a cataract, an eye doctor must conduct an in-depth eye exam. Our team at SPEX Seattle is widely skilled in the tests done in an in-depth cataract exam. The typical tests to check for cataracts are all quite simple, relatively brief, and pain-free.

First, Dr. Campbell will carry out a routine vision test. This is usually done using the familiar eye chart. Next, he may perform a contrast sensitivity test, which is a lot like a vision test, although it gauges the patient's ability to perceive contrast. After these tests, a slit-lamp exam is often performed. During a slit-lamp exam, Dr. Campbell uses a customized microscope that directs a strong but extremely thin "slit" of light into the eye to check its more outward structures. To complete the tests, he will perform the retinal exam and, maybe, a potential acuity (PAM) exam. Before these tests, dilating the pupils with eye drops is necessary. Enlarging the pupils is very important because it enables the best possible view to look at the whole lens for any areas of cataract. If a cataract is found, then the PAM is often done. A PAM establishes a patient's possible acuity if the cataract wasn't there. The potential acuity exam can be especially important in selecting an IOL if the patient is recommended for cataract surgery.

After cataract treatment, many patients are surprised by how quickly things begin to improve, though the experience is not exactly the same for everyone. In the first day or two, it’s common to notice some mild irritation, light sensitivity, or a slightly “off” feeling as your eye adjusts, but this typically settles fairly quickly. Vision may seem clearer almost right away, though it often continues to sharpen over the following days and weeks. You’ll be asked to avoid certain activities early on, like heavy lifting or rubbing your eyes, to protect the healing process. Over time, the full benefit becomes more noticeable, especially in terms of brightness, clarity, and reduced glare. Follow-up visits are an important part of the process to monitor healing and fine-tune your results if needed. Our team will walk you through exactly what to expect based on your procedure and lens choice so you feel prepared at every stage.