Facts About Cataracts
- A cataract is the development of a cloudy spot on the lens of the eye. It can occur in just one eye or in both and is most common in those over 60 years of age. It's a very common condition with half of Americans having had a cataract by the time they're 80. But the common nature of this condition does not make it any easier to deal with.
- Cataracts have only a few causes. the cataract itself develops because proteins that normally cover the lens on the eye to encourage the entry of light group together to create blurry patches. Cataracts do tend to get larger as time goes on, leaving you with less and less vision. Causes are thought to be age itself--the proteins just break down over the years--and conditions like diabetes or smoking.
- Several types of cataracts are possible. The first type is related to aging, however, there are others like traumatic cataracts, which develop following an injury to the eye. There's also secondary cataracts, which show up after surgery. Another type is the radiation cataract, which occurs because the patient was exposed to radiation. Last, there's the congenital cataract, which is a condition some children are born with. Surgery is not always required, as the cataract may be so small that it does not interfere with vision.
- The most common symptom of cataracts includes the obvious cloudy vision. However, it can also show up through glare when looking at lights, a loss of vividness, double vision and difficulty seeing in the dark. Of course, these symptoms are similar with those expressed by other conditions, so an accurate diagnosis is vital.
- There are many treatments available for the treatment of cataracts. First and foremost, your prescription may be increased to help improve your vision for the time being. Using better lighting and wearing sunglasses that prevent glare can also help. However, surgery is often the best option for completely removing the problem. In surgery, the lens of the affected eye will be removed and replaced with a lens made from artificial materials. However, surgery is usually not needed unless the cataract interferes with your ability to see properly or makes it difficult for your doctor to test for other eye-related disorders.
