Living near New York City, Lissette Gonzalez often visits the Museum of Modern Art and watches off-Broadway productions with her family.

This spring, a cataract in her right eye affected her vision, impacting her travels to the Big Apple.

“All I could really make out would be like shadow and light,” she said. “It got to the point where I would have my son stand in front of me and just wave his hand.”

The Hudson County, New Jersey, woman said the vision loss made navigating the crowded city difficult.

“I was legitimately scared to walk, to cross the streets,” Gonzalez, 50, said. “I should not be scared just to walk down city streets that I’m used to walking. It’s not like I never go to New York.”

Cataracts are the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide and of vision loss in the United States. If not treated, cataracts may impair or cause complete loss of eyesight.

Blurry Vision Leads to Eye Exam, Cataract Diagnosis

Gonzalez’s journey began about 19 months ago when she started noticing changes in her eyesight. She made an appointment with ophthalmologist Hardik Parikh, MD, FAAO, in early 2023.

“She came to me with a vision problem in her right eye,” Dr. Parikh said. “She wasn’t seeing clearly for the last few months. She was having a harder time working at her computer, tending to have to refocus constantly. Her vision at nighttime was also impacted. She was having a lot more glare than she was normally accustomed to.”

After a comprehensive eye exam, Dr. Parikh diagnosed Gonzalez with a posterior subcapsular cataract. This fast-developing cataract starts in the backmost part of the lens in the eye and blocks the center part of your vision where the light passes through.

A patient has two options when diagnosed with a cataract. They can wait and adjust their glasses or contacts or have cataract removal surgery, according to Dr. Parikh.

“I would definitely recommend the procedure,” he said. “Cataract surgery overall is one of the safest procedures that we have in all of ophthalmology.”

Gonzalez determined her slightly blurry vision was manageable and delayed cataract surgery. A posterior subcapsular cataract is generally faster growing than other cataracts. About 14 months after her initial diagnosis, Gonzalez experienced light perception vision.

“Even if we took a hand and waved it in front of her eye, going back and forth, she wouldn’t know that the hand was there,” Dr. Parikh said.

Choosing an Intraocular Lens and Cataract Surgery

In March, Gonzalez scheduled her cataract surgery for June 13 at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). ASCs offer safe, high-quality outpatient medical procedures.

During this procedure, a doctor replaces the cloudy lens of a patient’s eye with an artificial lens. This intraocular lens (IOL) is a clear, plastic lens that becomes a permanent part of the eye.

Depending on your visual needs and lifestyle, several IOLs are available.

• Monofocal Lenses help with distance vision, but you may still need glasses for reading or if you have astigmatism. Medicare and other insurance plans usually cover these.
• Astigmatism-correcting Monofocal Lenses correct your astigmatism as well as your cataracts during one simple procedure. Most people only need glasses for reading after surgery.
• Multifocal or Extended Depth of Focus Lenses help you see both near and far, so you may be able to go glasses-free after surgery.

Gonzalez selected a monofocal IOL and opted to undergo femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. In this procedure, Dr. Parikh designed a specific surgical plan with a 3-D image of her right eye called optical coherence tomography (OCT).

“We’re using technology to better augment a surgeon’s hands, making tasks easier, more efficient, more predictable, and more standardized,” Dr. Parikh said. “Anything that really helps with the patient’s outcome at the end of the day is a win for us.”

By surgery day, Gonzalez said she was ready to regain her sight.

“I felt at ease with the procedure,” she said. “Sure, with any procedure there’s a risk, but I, personally, at that moment, felt like I had nothing to lose because I already had no sight and it was affecting my quality of life.”

After a seamless surgery-day process, Gonzalez returned the next day for her follow-up appointment.

“Laser-related surgery is really putting yourself in the hands of professionals that can deliver results,” she said. “I walked out of there being able to see again. I had my sight back.”

Dr. Parikh prescribed eye drops for Gonzalez to prevent infection and to reduce inflammation over the next few weeks.

“By about the first month after surgery, they’re generally off all eye drops and they’re back to living their normal lives as things were before the surgery,” he said.

Patient Returns to the Big Apple without Fear

Today, Gonzalez said her vision is better than ever. Her right eye is 20/20 and she has new prescription glasses to accommodate her left eye, which also has a small cataract.

Her restored sight gave Gonzalez confidence to return to New York City. She recently watched an off-Broadway play and viewed her favorite artwork by French Neo-Impressionist painter Paul Signac at the Museum of Modern Art.

“I was able to see everything comfortably,” she said. “I didn’t really deprive myself of my typical activities [before], but what I appreciate is being able to do them without a sense of fear. Just being able to move in the world without having to worry … It just feels good just feeling safe.”

Prioritizing her eye care and cataract surgery restored Gonzalez’s vision and quality of life.

“My only regret was not doing it sooner,” she said.

Schedule a Visit with Your Eye Doctor

September is designated as Healthy Aging Month to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of vision loss. One in six Americans aged 65 and older have a vision impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

Prioritize your vision health by scheduling a visit with your ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam. Your eye doctor will check your visual acuity, evaluate your current eye prescription and screen you for eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Call today for an appointment.

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This article is designed for educational purposes only. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health concern or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health concern, you should consult your healthcare provider.

Spending time outside can lower stress and boost your mood, but outdoor fun can increase your risk for UV exposure, eye infection or ocular injuries. Taking daily precautions can protect your eyes and prevent long-term vision damage.

Shield Your Eyes from the Sun

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation penetrates the eye more easily than visible light and can increase your risk of developing vision problems. UV rays cause a variety of eye issues, from corneal sunburn to eye growths and cancer, as well as degenerative eye diseases like the following:

• Cataracts — clouding of the eye lens, which leads to vision loss and potential blindness
• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — retinal damage, potentially resulting in permanent central vision loss

A wide-brimmed hat and a quality pair of sunglasses will block or reflect the harmful UV light from your eyes. When choosing sunglasses, opt for ones that offer 99-100 percent protection against UVA and UVB rays, or ones labeled with a UV400 rating.

How your sunglasses fit is just as important. A good pair of sunglasses should remain in place and provide wide coverage around your eyes. The frames should also minimize the amount of light that enters the eye from the sides, top and bottom (NEI).

One of the easiest ways to prevent UV damage is to stay inside when the sunlight is most intense, often between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The UV index can still be high when there is significant cloud cover. Make it a habit when you go outdoors to wear sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen of at least 30 SPF.

If you have children, it is a wise idea to keep hats and sunglasses for every member of the family in the car.

Wear Safety Goggles for Sports or Activities

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, US emergency rooms treat almost 30,000 sports-related eye injuries per year. Experts estimate 90 percent of serious eye injuries could have been prevented if people wore appropriate protective eyewear.

One study found that basketball caused the most sports-related ocular injuries, followed by baseball, softball, airsoft rifles, pellet guns, racquetball and hockey.

Experts recommend athletes wear durable sports glasses with polycarbonate lenses for activities like basketball, tennis, soccer and field hockey.

“If you are participating in any sports or activities where there may be a risk for impact or eye injuries, then consider utilizing impact-resistant frames that meet ASTM standards,” said Fraser Horn, OD, dean of Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon (AOA).

Wearing protective sports glasses with polycarbonate lenses can lower your risk of eye injury. If you or a family member play racquet sports or any activity that uses a ball, purchase impact-resistant frames that meet ASTM standards. Even those watching sports games can get hurt, so stay vigilant for flying balls, bats or gear that may come into the stands.

Sports are not the only activity that can cause eye injuries. Even yard work and cleaning your home can pose a threat to healthy vision. You should wear protective eyewear for any activity that involves the following:

• Flying debris or small particles
• Projectiles or objects that could become projectiles
• Hazardous chemicals

Remove Contact Lenses and Wear Goggles in the Water

There’s nothing like an aquatic adventure to cool off from the summer heat. Swimming can pose threats to healthy eyes, so it is best to take precautions by creating new habits.

Wearing swim goggles can prevent chlorine irritation and infection from bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye). Although it is rare, some swimmers may contract acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare and very serious infection caused by an amoeba.

“The eye is not great at fighting off different types of infections because it doesn’t have available blood supply to it,” said Masih Ahmed, MD, an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “If you have scratches in the cornea, which can happen from dry eye or even rubbing your eye, one of those microorganisms can get into those cuts and lead to infection.”

You can keep your eyes safe in the water by remembering these guidelines:

1. Wear goggles.
2. Remove contact lenses.
3. Rinse your eyes after getting out of any body of water.
4. Use artificial tears to hydrate your eyes.
5. Avoid rubbing your eyes after swimming.
6. Be cautious around natural bodies of water because of possible microorganisms.

Make Annual Eye Doctor Appointments for the Whole Family

Many people assume their eyes are healthy if they are not experiencing specific problems. The fact is, vision problems can develop without symptoms or pain.

A comprehensive eye exam with dilation is an easy way to monitor your eye health. Yearly vision checks will assess refractive errors and focusing problems and screen for eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Regular eye exams can offer a window into your overall health and assess whether you are at higher risk for eye disease or chronic issues like high blood pressure.

Commit to healthy vision by calling your eye doctor to make eye appointments for your family. Ensure your eye health by wearing sunglasses, applying sunscreen and using protective eyewear. Contact your eye doctor if you have discomfort or new symptoms.

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is affecting more children and young people than ever before due to increased near work and use of digital devices.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long from front to back or when the cornea is overly curved, causing the eye to be out of focus and distant objects appear blurry. Nearsightedness is a growing problem globally, and scientists claim it is reaching epidemic proportions.

By 2050, half the world’s population (about five billion people) will be near-sighted and one billion will be at risk for blindness. The areas where myopia is most prevalent include South Korea, China, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, at 80 to 90 percent.

Why Are More People Myopic Today Than in the Past?

Several factors affect whether someone will be myopic.

Genetics and Heredity

No single gene codes for myopia; however, you are at higher risk if one or both of your parents are nearsighted. In many cases, though, a child can develop myopia when neither parent has myopia.

Nearsightedness usually begins between the ages of 6 and 14 and progresses through the early 20s.

Screen Time on Digital Devices

Environment also influences whether someone is nearsighted. Children are spending more time on screens and digital devices, and it is contributing to eye problems. Distorted visual input can lead to enlarged and elongated eyes, which can cause an increase in eye growth and result in blurry vision. This elongation increases nearsightedness, making distant objects blurry.

Amount of Time Spent on Near Work

Another factor that affects myopia is how much time people spend focusing on something within one arm’s length of their faces. Increased amounts of near work make children more likely to develop nearsightedness. Examples of near work include reading, doing crafts, drawing or painting.

Spending Less Time Outside

Staying indoors can affect the risk of nearsightedness. A study in Leipzig, Germany, analyzed 1,437 children between the ages of 3 and 18. Children who only ventured outdoors once a week were four times more prone to developing nearsightedness than children who spent time outside two or more times a week.

Identifying Symptoms and Treating Myopia Early

You might be curious about how to identify if your child is nearsighted. Look for symptoms like squinting or covering one eye. Often, teachers may be the first to notice a child is myopic if he or she cannot see the board at school. Holding objects close or sitting near to a television can also be telltale signs of near-sightedness.

Research shows high myopia can increase the lifetime risk of vision impairment. Untreated nearsightedness or severe myopia can make people more likely to develop eye problems like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment and macular degeneration. Each of these eye diseases can cause vision loss. Therefore, nations such as the United Kingdom, China and many U.S. states require students to undergo vision tests as part of their schooling.

Creating Healthy Parameters for Using Digital Devices

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, a time to emphasize the importance of eye health and disease prevention. Parents play a vital role in their children’s eye health. Consider placing limits on-screen time and encourage children to use screens in shared spaces like living rooms and kitchens.

It is also important for children and adults to take regular breaks from screens. The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests following the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, pause for 20 seconds to focus on an object that is at a distance of at least 20 feet.

In the evening, choose a set time that everyone puts away digital devices for the evening. Using phones and tablets before bed can disrupt the circadian rhythm and affect sleep cycles.

Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam Before the End of the Year

Scheduling yearly comprehensive eye exams with dilation is a great choice for maintaining your family’s vision health. Regular eye exams help diagnose myopia, refractive errors and eye diseases.

Family history can make you more susceptible to certain eye problems, so make sure to talk to your doctor to determine your risk of developing a disease or condition. The year is quickly ending, so call your eye doctor to schedule an appointment.