Cataracts

Cataract Diagnosis & Intervention

Cataracts are a common eye disease often associated with the natural aging process, although they can affect patients of any age. Cataracts can range from mild to severe depending on their cause and how long they’ve been developing. Our optometrists can catch cataracts in their earliest stages during a comprehensive eye exam.

Cataracts can usually be managed with eyeglasses or contact lenses. But, when cataracts begin affecting your vision, we may refer you for cataract-removal surgery. We’re equipped to advise on the best treatment, management, and further intervention before and after the procedure.

Book your annual eye exams with us and trust in our experience and knowledge about cataracts.

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Understanding Cataracts

The cornea and lens work together to focus light on the retina. The cornea’s curve refracts the light so it bends inwards while the lens changes shape to bring objects at varying distances into focus.

The cells in the lens are like any other cells: they die and regenerate. Cells reform when they can, but cataracts form when imperfections appear in the new cells. Not unlike scar tissue, cloudy, white, and translucent deposits form where clear, transparent cells used to be, interfering with vision.

Cataracts in Children

Although older patients are more at risk for cataracts than children, they can actually develop at any age. Children have clear, new ocular lenses compared to adults, which may mean that UV rays can reach farther and deeper into their eyes, especially when they don’t wear UV eye protection.

Many pediatric cataracts have a genetic cause, developing by birth or before adulthood if there’s a family history of them. If your child has undergone eye surgeries, radiation treatments, or been exposed to second-hand smoking, they might also endure increased risk.

Cataracts & Causes

Exposure to ultraviolet light can increase the risk of cataracts. UVA and UVB rays each make up the band of invisible radiation coming from the sun, and their high-energy damages the eyes. Exposure to UVA rays in particular can damage your ocular lens cells.

Researchers believe that UVA might cause cataracts because they penetrate farther into the eye than UVB rays, reaching the lens more readily.

Diabetes

Patients with diabetes are 5 times more likely to develop cataracts than patients without diabetes. We pay particular attention to cataract development in eye exams for our patients with diabetes because of this increased risk.

Prevention

Prevention will always save more time and energy while lowering risk when compared to waiting for surgical intervention. Wearing sunglasses when outdoors can help decrease your risk of developing it. You can help children avoid accumulating damage in their eyes as a means of cataract prevention later in their lives.

Sunglasses must guarantee 99-100% UVA and UVB protection to provide the protection you need from UV radiation.

How Cataract Surgery Works

Our optometrists aim at preventing and managing cataracts before they affect your quality of life. We can counsel you on preventive methods and corrective eyewear. If needed, we will refer you to a trusted surgeon for cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery can preserve clear vision, even into your golden years. Eye surgeons use sonic tools to break up the milky lens and replace it with an intraocular lens (IOL).

Cataract Surgery Referral

If cataract surgery is the best option for you, we provide the support and management necessary for your recovery. We work with trusted local eye surgeons to make the process as non-invasive as possible without sacrificing safety.

Cataract surgery still poses some risks, so we prioritize monitoring your healing progress to reduce your chance of complications.

Please book a comprehensive eye exam today.

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Our Location

Centre Wellington, Ontario

We’re eager to see all of our patients, but please confirm an appointment before visiting. Booking ahead is the safest measure for ensuring a qualified staff member is available to help you from start to finish.

You can find us on Beatty Line in beautiful historic Fergus, Ontario.

Our Address

6420 Beatty Line North Suite 102
Fergus, ON N1M 2W3

Contact Information

Phone: 226-383-8880
Fax: 226-486-2465
Email: [email protected]

Hours Of Operation

Monday

9 AM – 4 PM

Tuesday

9 AM – 5 PM

Wednesday

9 AM – 4 PM

Thursday

9 AM – 6 PM

Friday

9 AM – 1 PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

What Are Our Patients Saying?

Dr. Elder is so friendly and knowledgeable, she was quick to get me in when I had an issue with a growth in my eye and is always takes the time to get to know me so she can give the best solutions for eye care or eye wear. Highly recommend this office to anyone looking to go to a better eye doctor!

She is exceptional! Kind, personable, smart, efficient. Extremely talented doctor – actually look forward to seeing her! Also great with kids.

Dr. Elder has been great at helping me with my ocular health. She is very personable while having a high degree of professionalism. I am very comfortable around her and will be continuing to see her for all of my eye health needs!