What is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eyeÆs lens that affects vision. Most cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are incredibly prevalent; by age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.
Causes
The eye’s lens has proteins in it that will begin breaking down and clumping together as we age. This creates the clouding, which worsens over time. A cataract can occur in either one eye or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other.
Symptoms
Your eye doctor will check for cataracts during a dilated eye exam. However, you may notice signs of cataracts before an exam. If you experience any of the following, be sure to mention them to your doctor. Symptoms include:
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Fading of colors
- Poor night vision
- The appearance of halos around lights or lights appear too bright
Treatment
Cataracts are removed surgically. Surgery may not be recommended in the early stages, but when the cataract begins to affect your quality of life significantly, surgery will be necessary.
Cataract surgery is one of the safest surgeries available. The surgeon makes a tiny incision and inserts a long, thin instrument that breaks up the cloudy lens with ultrasound waves and suctions the pieces out of the eye. A clear plastic lens is then placed in the eye. The incision is so small that stitches are usually not needed. This lens can also be specialized based on your eyeglasses prescription, which can further improve your eyesight.
How can I slow or prevent cataracts?
- Wear sunglasses with UV protection and a hat outside
- Quit smoking if you are a smoker
- Eat a healthy diet including fruits and vegetables
- Have regular comprehensive dilated eye exams
Other Types of Cataract
While most cataracts are related to aging, there are other types:
- Secondary cataract. Cataracts that form after surgery for other eye problems, such as glaucoma. Cataracts can also develop in people who have other health problems, such as diabetes or conditions that are treated with prolonged steroid use.
- Traumatic cataract. Cataracts can develop after an eye injury, sometimes years later.
- Congenital cataract. Some individuals are born with cataracts or develop them in childhood, often in both eyes. These cataracts may be so small that they do not affect vision. If they do, the lenses may need to be removed.
- Radiation cataract. Cataracts can develop after radiation exposure.
