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Changing my eye colour

I have to wear contact lenses or I can't see a thing. I spent a lot of time making sure the contact lenses were hard to detect, but recently I've started getting some tinted contact lenses. It's actually really cool that I can make subtle shifts in my eye colour. It's funny when I see that people can tell there is something a bit funny or different with my appearance and they can't always tell what has changed. My optometrist is great about showing me new products and ideas that come out that might suit my prescription because he knows I'm always up for new things.

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Changing my eye colour

What Are the Options Available When Cataracts Appear?

by Evan Duncan

Have you ever heard the saying "old age doesn't come alone?" As people age, it's normal to expect that things won't work quite as well as they used to, and most people expect to see a gradual deterioration in their eyesight as they get older. For many people, one of the first signs of this ageing process is the gradual formation of a cataract. If you've noticed that you can't see as well out of one eye in particular, this may be the reason. What do you need to know about cataracts, and how can they be treated?

Where Does It Form?

A cataract affects the lens of the eye, which (just as it does in a camera) focuses imagery onto the retina so that a signal can be in turn be sent to the brain's processing centre. This lens is in optimum working condition when you're young, and it will gradually wear out over time. The lens has the ability to change shape in order to "focus" on the right image, no matter whether the item you're looking at is close in front of you or far away.

Developing Problem

As time goes by, the lens starts to wear out and becomes increasingly more opaque. It can also get harder and therefore less able to make subtle adjustments, and this can cause issues when it comes to creating a sharper focus. The protein in the lens actually starts to gather together, and this can create a cataract. As it gets cloudier and denser, it can also become larger, and at this stage your optician will probably recommend that you have surgery to sort it out.

How It's Done

The surgeon will be able to make a tiny incision into the surface of the eye, once it has been numbed using local anaesthetic. A special machine is then able to deliver laser "pulses" to the cataract, which break it up and allow it to be simply removed. Once that has been done, a new lens is typically inserted by the surgeon to take the place of the old, natural lens.

Recovery

Most patients report a definite improvement in their eyesight once they have had cataract surgery. It doesn't take very long to recover from the procedure, and you should be able to notice an improvement within days, with the lens acclimatising to its optimal condition and power within weeks.

Getting Advice

Have a word with your optician, who will be able to conduct a relatively simple exam to determine when and if you need cataract surgery.

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