Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which is normally clear. The lens focuses light rays into the retina, the tissue that is the ultra, light-sensitive tissue at the back area of the eye that converts light impulses into nerve impulses. When a cataract forms, an opaque film grows over the surface of the lens, reducing the eye’s ability to see clearly.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts befall when the light-sensitive portions of the eye’s lens become cloudy. This causes blurred vision and can impact your ability to see clearly. They are the most common cause of preventable vision loss among Americans over the age of 40. While cataracts don’t cause pain, if you experience blurry vision, changes in your color perception, or double vision, you should see your doctor right away to get a proper diagnosis.
Symptoms of Having Cataracts
- Blurry vision
- Changes in your color perception
- Double vision
- Sensitive to light
Other Options Treated the Cataracts
- Laser Eye Surgery – Laser Eye Surgery, often known as Laser Cataract Surgery, is one of the safest and most effective treatments for cataracts.
- LASIK – LASIK surgery is one of the options that your eye doctor may use as an alternative.
Cataracts are a common eye condition that affects millions of Americans every year. Cataracts most commonly develop as people age, but the condition can affect anyone. For many people, they form gradually and go unnoticed until blurred vision or other symptoms of the problem begin to appear. However, annual eye exams can diagnose cataracts in the early stages. Once the condition is diagnosed, a comprehensive treatment plan will be recommended.
Types of Cataracts
Nuclear cataracts
A nuclear cataract is caused when the protein crystallizes within the lens of the eye. Cataracts occur when the proteins within your lens clump together, impairing your vision. Unlike other types of cataracts, nuclear cataracts can be corrected with surgery, though the quality of your vision will remain dimmed.
Cortical cataracts
Cortical cataracts are a type of cataracts that develop on the lens of the eye. They develop on the cortex, which is the “white” layer of the eye. They are also known as posterior subcapsular cataracts. Cortical cataracts are typically seen in people over the age of 55.
How Do You Treat Cataracts?
- New glasses – When cataracts cloud your vision, you’re usually given your eyeglass prescription and told to find glasses that correct your vision. However, new glasses won’t treat your cataracts; they’ll just help you see better. Of course, if your vision is so bad that new glasses won’t help, your eye doctor should recommend surgery to remove cataracts.
- Strong bifocals – Using bifocals to treat cataracts can be an effective way of improving vision.
- Magnification glasses – Magnification glasses can be used to help individuals see clearly, but treatment is still required.
Diagnosing Cataracts
Cataracts, a clouding of the lens of the eye are one of the most common reasons people seek vision correction surgery. They seem to occur in every age group, from seniors to young children. A cataract can develop slowly over time, so it’s easy to be unaware that anything is wrong until your vision is significantly impaired. They are common in both eyes, but if you have one cataract, there’s a 50-50 chance the other will develop.
To Prevent Cataracts
Wear sunglasses to reduce your eye’s exposure to the sun’s UV radiation.
If you’re one of the millions of people who wear glasses or contacts, chances are you have considered them an integral part of your eye care routine. If not, chances are you are at least familiar with the importance of protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. But did you remember to wear sunglasses? It may seem like a low priority, but wearing them before or while outside to protect your eyes against UV exposure is important, whether you’re driving, walking down the sidewalk, spending time outdoors, or at the beach or pool.
Maintaining exercise and eating a healthy diet.
Maintaining a varied and balanced diet is especially important as you get older. As your body ages, it can become weaker and more fragile. This can happen whether you’re 30 or 60. To help prevent this, it’s important to eat a healthy diet, and that includes eating foods high in antioxidants and lutein, such as green leafy vegetables.
Avoid smoking.
Smoking also increases the risk of other eye diseases, such as glaucoma. The connection between smoking and cataracts is why the American Optometric Association recommends avoiding smoking to help protect your vision and overall health.
Cataracts develop slowly over time, and most people don’t notice anything wrong until their vision starts to deteriorate. Doctors don’t recommend treating cataracts until they are quite advanced, but you may be able to prevent or delay the condition by avoiding risk-off factors.