Blurred vision isn’t always just part of aging
Cataract Awareness Month highlights importance of annual eye exams
When colors began to look dull and driving at night became increasingly difficult, Agustin Gonzalez, OD, MBA, FAAO, knew something had changed with his vision. His diagnosis was cataracts – a condition he now helps patients understand and manage as Integrated Eye Optometry Lead at Parkland Health.
During June’s Cataract Awareness Month, Dr. Gonzalez is encouraging people to prioritize their eye health and schedule regular eye exams, reminding patients that cataracts can often be successfully treated with timely care.
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide and affect more than 24 million Americans over the age of 40. They occur when the natural lens of the eye that focuses light onto the retina becomes clouded, leading to blurry vision. Other common symptoms include poor night vision, sensitivity to light, fading of colors and seeing “halos” around bright lights.
Dr. Gonzalez, who was 64 years old at the time, says it was his difficulty driving at night that alerted him that something might be wrong.
“During the nighttime, vehicle headlights seemed to have more glare, and the colors appeared less vibrant. I found myself needing brighter light to read,” he recalled. “During an eye examination, the doctor discovered the culprit was cataracts.”
While cataracts mostly affect older adults, experts say they can develop at any age. In some cases, they can be caused by underlying health conditions and even some medications. Other risk factors include prolonged exposure to sunlight, tobacco use, excessive alcohol use and previous eye injuries.
Surgery remains the only effective way to treat cataracts. Dr. Gonzalez says it was an easy decision to undergo the procedure when his cataracts began to interfere with his daily activities.
“When I underwent cataract surgery, the procedure was straightforward and took only 10 minutes. My vision started improving the next day. Colors appeared brighter and sharper than they had in years,” he said. “My recovery was smooth with prescribed eye drops and follow-up visits to monitor healing. Within a few days, my vision had stabilized, and I was back to normal activities with significantly improved sight.”
Now, as Integrated Eye Optometry Lead, Dr. Gonzalez is using his own experience to help patients recognize vision changes and seek care before cataracts begin affecting their quality of life.
Through comprehensive eye exams, Parkland’s eye care team can help identify cataracts and other vision conditions early, helping patients understand their treatment options and connect with specialized care when needed.
While cataracts cannot always be prevented, Dr. Gonzalez recommends several steps that may help protect long-term eye health:
- Wear protective eyewear: Sunglasses that block ultraviolet B rays can help reduce UV-related damage.
- Schedule routine eye exams: Comprehensive eye exams at least once a year can help detect cataracts and other conditions at their earliest stages.
- Manage chronic conditions: Diabetes, obesity and other medical conditions can increase risk. Continue routine care with a primary care provider.
- Choose a healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants that support eye health and may reduce the risk of cataracts.
"Regular eye exams can detect cataracts and many other eye conditions before they significantly impact daily life. Taking care of your eyes today can help preserve your vision for years to come.”
For more information on the Parkland Eye Clinic, visit www.parklandhealth.org/locations/eye-clinic-204.
For more information on services available at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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