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What are Cataracts?

Cataracts are the clouding of the lens of your eye, which is normally clear. Most cataracts develop slowly over time, causing symptoms such as blurry vision.

Cataracts form when protein builds up in the lens of your eye and makes it cloudy. This keeps light from passing through clearly. It can cause you to lose some of your eyesight. There are many types of cataracts. If you are concerned you have cataracts or your cataracts are worsening schedule an appointment to get your eyes evaluated!

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Risk Factors for Cataracts Include
        Increasing age

        Diabetes

        Excessive exposure to sunlight

        Smoking

        Obesity

        High blood pressure

        Previous eye injury or inflammation

        Previous eye surgery

        Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications

        Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of cataracts include:

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  • Clouded, blurred or dim vision

  • Increasing difficulty with vision at night

  • Sensitivity to light and glare

  • Need for brighter light for reading and other activities

  • Seeing "halos" around lights

  • Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription

  • Fading or yellowing of colors

  • Double vision in a single eye

Delaying Cataract Development

No studies have proved how to prevent or slow the progression of cataracts. But doctors think several strategies may be helpful, including:

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  • Have regular eye examinations. Eye examinations can help detect cataracts and other eye problems at their earliest stages. Ask your doctor how often you should have an eye examination.

  • Quit smoking. Ask your doctor for suggestions about how to stop smoking. Medications, counseling and other strategies are available to help you.

  • Manage other health problems. Follow your treatment plan if you have diabetes or other medical conditions that can increase your risk of cataracts.

  • Choose a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Adding a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet ensures that you're getting many vitamins and nutrients. Fruits and vegetables have many antioxidants, which help maintain the health of your eyes.

    Studies haven't proved that antioxidants in pill form can prevent cataracts. But a large population study recently showed that a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals was associated with a reduced risk of developing cataracts. Fruits and vegetables have many proven health benefits and are a safe way to increase the amount of minerals and vitamins in your diet.

  • Wear sunglasses. Ultraviolet light from the sun may contribute to the development of cataracts. Wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet B (UVB) rays when you're outdoors.

  • Reduce alcohol use. Excessive alcohol use can increase the risk of cataracts.

Treatment

When your prescription glasses can't clear your vision, the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery.

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When to consider cataract surgery

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Talk with your eye doctor about whether surgery is right for you. Most eye doctors suggest considering cataract surgery when your cataracts begin to affect your quality of life or interfere with your ability to perform normal daily activities, such as reading or driving at night.

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It's up to you and your doctor to decide when cataract surgery is right for you. For most people, there is no rush to remove cataracts because they usually don't harm the eyes. But cataracts can worsen faster in people with certain conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity.

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Delaying the procedure generally won't affect how well your vision recovers if you later decide to have cataract surgery. Take time to consider the benefits and risks of cataract surgery with your doctor.

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