More Rain for the Southeast and Eye Exams for a Rainy Day

Posted by: West Georgia Eye Care Center in Frontpage Article on February 24, 2020

2020 has started with rain, rain and then, just when you thought it couldn’t possibly get any wetter, even more rain for the Southeast!  Georgia had one of the wettest Januarys on record – the 17th wettest January over the past 125 years.  It is not surprising that the way the weather “looks” has an impact on whether we can work, what we wear, where we go and how we choose to get there.
At West Georgia Eye Care we are used to people describing their vision in terms that mimic our weather conditions.  “Everything looks cloudy”, “It’s like looking through rain”, or “It’s foggy now, not enough light” are common descriptions.

Like Rain –

One common cause of vision that appears “cloudy, rainy, or foggy” is a cataract.  Interestingly, the root word for cataracts is the 14th century Latin word cataracta, meaning: 1) “portcullis” – a heavy iron grating around a fortress or castle; or 2) “waterfall”. The word came to be used for the eye condition probably because the ocular cataract obstructs vision(light) in a way reminiscent of the way the portcullis’ heavy iron grating obstructs passage into a fortress or castle, or the way things appear blurry when looking through a waterfall.  Cataracts are most often a part of the normal aging process (essentially everyone will develop cataracts usually starting in the 6th decade), but can be congenital (from birth), or secondary to trauma or other medical conditions.

Like Monet – 

Other symptoms of cataracts may include seeing color as faded, or even difficulty distinguishing colors (take a look at the way Monet’s art changed as he aged and developed cataracts- (see link below*). As light scatters when it passes through a cataract, it can also cause halos, star-bursting and glare effects (thus night driving troubles). Reading, recognizing faces, and watching TV can all become difficult as well. Cataracts have even been connected to falls and situational depression.

Good News, Good Help – 

Thankfully, cataracts which are visually significant are readily treatable.  Surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens is straightforward, and in fact, is the most commonly performed surgery in the United States(an aging population and everyone has two eyes!).  The ophthalmic surgeons at West Georgia Eye Care Center are specialists at performing cataract surgery, and have invested in a state of the art ophthalmic surgical center with the most advanced equipment and specialty trained staff.  Whether routine cataract surgery, refractive cataract surgery to correct astigmatism or multifocal lens implants to limit or eliminate dependence on glasses, or complex cataract procedures after trauma, we have you covered!  Most importantly, we believe in providing the appropriate guidance for each patient’s unique situation so that you can make the best decision about your vision needs.

The Southeast has more than its share of water lately, but if your vision seems as though you are looking through rain, even on sunny days, then a comprehensive eye exam will help you know if cataracts are in the forecast!

*For more about Monet’s art through cataracts paste this address in your browser – https://www.cmonetgallery.com/cataracts.aspx