Have cataracts been keeping you at home because you are uneasy about your vision? Are you nervous about navigating unfamiliar places?
Do you not enjoy visits to museums or shopping trips because it’s hard to see details? It may be time to consider cataract surgery so you can get back to enjoying life in Baton Rouge to the fullest.
Keep reading to learn more about 8 places to sightsee in Baton Rouge after cataract surgery.
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts are among the most common causes of vision changes in older adults. Age-related cataracts can develop as early as your 40s and grow progressively more severe over time.
They form when proteins in the natural lens of the eye begin to break down over time. This causes discolored or cloudy patches to accumulate on the lens and affect your vision.
Early cataracts can cause minor symptoms, such as needing frequent prescription changes or difficulty reading in low light. Over time, cataracts worsen and cause symptoms like:
- Blurry, cloudy vision
- Difficulty driving at night
- Double vision
- Faded or yellowed vision
- Halos and glare
- Sensitivity to bright lights
How are Cataracts Treated?
The only treatment for cataracts is cataract surgery, an outpatient procedure that takes less than an hour. During cataract surgery, your surgeon uses specialized tools to remove the cataract-affected natural lens of the eye.
They then replace it with a corrective intraocular lens (IOL). The IOL eliminates the issues caused by cataracts and works as a prescription lens to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Williamson Eye Center offers a wide selection of IOLs to suit different vision needs, including:
Light Adjustable Lens
Light Adjustable Lenses can be customized to your vision needs after cataract surgery. You will return to your eye doctor’s office after cataract surgery for a series of appointments during which they will expose the lens to UV light.
The light adjusts the shape of the lens within your eye to reach your desired visual outcome.
Multifocal IOL
Multifocal IOLs like the PanOptix trifocal correct vision at close, intermediate, and distance ranges to have clear vision whether you’re driving, reading, or talking to friends across a restaurant table.
Extended Depth of Focus IOL
Extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOLs use a longer focus range to correct vision at multiple distances. Williamson Eye Center offers the TECHNIC EDOF IOL, TECNIS Symfony OptiBlue, and TECNIS Synergy IOLs, which reduce halos, glare, and starbursts.
Toric IOL
Toric IOLs correct vision problems caused by astigmatism. They are shaped to neutralize corneal asymmetry, which causes astigmatism.
At your cataract surgery consultation, your eye doctor can help you decide which IOL is best for your vision needs.
Enjoying Baton Rouge After Cataract Surgery
Some patients notice vision improvements right after cataract surgery, with continued improvements in the weeks after the procedure. Once your eyes are healed, you can get out and see the sights of Baton Rouge with sharper, clearer vision.
Some of the best places to visit in Baton Rouge after cataract surgery include:
1. Baton Rouge Zoo
The Baton Rouge Zoo is one of the most popular attractions in the city for visitors and residents alike. You can spend the day watching animals and birds from all over the world without worrying about colors looking dull or being unable to spot animals in their enclosures.
2. Capitol Park Museum
The Capitol Park Museum is a one-stop destination for learning about Louisiana’s history. With your cataract-free vision, you can explore the details of exhibits like a full-sized shrimp boat, Louis Armstrong’s bugle, and a collection of Mardi Gras artifacts.
Music lovers will enjoy the interactive exhibits featuring examples of Cajun music, zydeco and swamp pop, Baton Rouge blues, and New Orleans jazz.
3. LSU Burden Museum & Botanic Gardens
Stroll through the LSU Burden Museum & Botanic Gardens to enjoy curated gardens featuring various plants. Visitors can experience the “Trees and Trails” layout featuring three miles of walking paths through the Rose Garden, Children’s Garden, All-America Selections Garden, and others.
After cataract surgery, you’ll be able to enjoy all the brightness of the flowers and see clearly in bright sunlight or shady spots.
4. Louisiana’s Old State Capitol
For an up-close view of Louisiana history, visit Louisiana’s Old State Capitol. You can tour the castle-like building and learn about the historical figures who walked its halls.
For a spooky twist, check out “The Ghost of the Castle,” an immersive theatrical presentation about Sarah Morgan, a Civil War-era figure who wrote about her love of the Capitol building. Will your sharp vision be enough to spot Sarah’s ghost in the historic halls?
5. LSU Tiger Stadium
Come on out to cheer for the home team at LSU Tiger Stadium. Whether you have seats near the sidelines or up in the stadium’s top rows, you’ll be able to see all the action on the field.
After the game, you can visit the iconic LSU campus and shop at the fan stores.
6. Blue Bayou Water Park and Dixie Landin’
Cool off at Blue Bayou Water Park and Dixie Landin’ when the weather gets warm. If you choose a premium IOL like the PanOptix, you can enjoy all the water park attractions without worrying about glasses or contacts.
7. Baton Rouge Arts Market (BRAM)
If you’re looking for unique gifts or something for yourself, stop by the Baton Rouge Arts Market (BRAM). Your clear vision will allow you to take in all the details of one-of-a-kind pieces by local artists and artisans.
8. The Louisiana Museum of Arts and Sciences
To dive deeply into creativity and knowledge, visit the Louisiana Museum of Arts and Sciences. Forging an interdisciplinary collection of art, artifacts, and technology, this museum offers something for everyone.
Explore the permanent collections of Louisiana art, as well as temporary exhibits about topics like ancient Egypt, artistic renderings of space, and the history of jazz. Stop by the planetarium to see the stars with your improved low-light vision!
Are you ready to say goodbye to cataracts and enjoy your favorite activities again? Schedule a cataract evaluation at Williamson Eye Center in Baton Rouge, LA, today!
