While most are spared the vision-limiting effects of cataracts until their golden years, anyone can have them.
At Clarity Eye Group, we understand that discovering you have cataracts can be overwhelming. We smooth the cataract diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment process by providing start-to-finish cataract care in our Huntington Beach and Newport Beach offices.
Because cataracts affect people of various ages, many patients wonder whether they’re too young or too old for cataract surgery. Read on to find out.
Understanding How Cataracts Affect the Eyes
To understand the ideal age for cataract surgery, you need to know how cataracts happen and how they affect your eyes.
Cataracts often develop due to age-related changes within the eye’s lens. Proteins in the lens start breaking down and sticking together, resulting in clouding, reduced visual clarity, decreased focus, and a milky white appearance.
But the aging process isn’t the only cause of cataracts. Eye injury, long-term use of medications like corticosteroids, and uncontrolled diabetes may cause cataracts.
Congenital cataracts are present at birth and are generally caused by inherited genetics or serious infections during pregnancy.
Can You Be Too Young for Cataract Surgery?
No, you can’t be too young for cataract surgery. Some infants need cataract surgery. You could also need it at any point during childhood or adulthood.
It’s not really about the age when we recommend cataract surgery: It’s more about your symptoms, how cataracts affect your life, and what you need as an individual. Our goal is to give you the clearest and sharpest vision so you can live a healthy, active life.
Can You Be Too Old for Cataract Surgery?
You can’t be too young, and you can’t be too old. Most cataract surgery patients are over 60, with a significant number in their 70s or 80s. We don’t gatekeep cataract surgery behind an arbitrary age barrier.
Our surgeons consider your whole-person health, symptoms, personal goals, and other factors specific to you to recommend the right approach to cataract management.
Cataract surgery has a very high success rate, and experts widely deem it one of the safest surgeries available today. Our older patients deserve the benefits of improved vision, especially when the rewards far outweigh the potential risks.
Safe Cataract Surgery at Any Age
Our surgeons use the highly advanced Catalys Precision Laser System to perform blade-free cataract removal. This minimally invasive approach is safer than traditional cataract surgery, resulting in faster recovery, shorter procedures, and better results at any age.
We also offer a complete range of high-tech IOLs to correct vision so you can enjoy great vision (often glasses-free) after surgery.
Best Cataract Surgeons in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach
Are you considering cataract surgery? Call us at (714) 842-0651 to make an appointment. We look forward to helping you find new clarity.