Pa CqniGin MyVision Is Blurry, But Eyeglasses Don’t Help (NAPSA)—Some eye conditions cannot be corrected with eyeglasses— but they can be helped. If you have a cataract, a condition in which thelens in your eye has become cloudy and vision becomes blurry—as if you're looking through a foggy windshield—you need to see an ophthalmologist. As physicians whospecialize in medical and surgical eye care, ophthalmologists treat all diseases and conditions that affect the eye. You will first need a comprehensive dilated eye exam. The ophthalmologist will dilate your pupil to see the back of your eye to make the cataract diagnosis. If everything looks foggy, even whenit’s sunny out, you may have cataracts. See an ophthalmologist to find out. Difficulty seeing clearly or sharply Seeing two imagesinstead of one Being extra sensitive to light, needing to shield eyes to prevent eye pain Trouble seeing well at night or needing increasedlight to read Seeing bright colors as faded. Together, you can decide whether you are readyfor cataract surgery. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract. During surgery, your ophthalmologist will remove your eye's cloudy lens andreplace it with an artificiallens. If you decide to have cataract surgery, your doctorwill discuss several options with you. Check to see if you are eligible for If you are concerned about the cost than 5,500 volunteer ophthalmologists Here are somevision changes you mightnotice if you have a cataract: EyeCare America MayBe Able To Help EyeCare America by completing a simple online questionnaire. There are more of the exam, the American Academy of across the U.S. waiting to assist you. ble seniors 65 and older, and those at helped nearly 2 million people with sight-saving eye care and resources. More than 90 percent of the care provided is at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient. Ophthalmology’s EyeCare America program maybe ableto help. This national public service provides eye care through volunteer ophthalmologists for eligi- increased risk for eye disease. To see if you or your loved onesareeligible, visit www.aao.org/eyecareamerica. I Have Cataracts, What’s Next? You and your ophthalmologist should discuss your cataract symptoms. Since 1985, EyeCare America has Grateful patient Connie, from Toledo, OH, said, “Thank youforthe chanceto get help. I went20 years without checking my eyes.” EyeCare America is co-sponsored by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, with additional support from Alcon.
