Cataract
What Is Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye. For people who have cataracts, seeing through cloudy lenses is a bit like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Clouded vision caused by cataracts can make it more difficult to read, drive a car (especially at night) or see the expression on a friend's face.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of cataracts include:
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
Risk Factors
Factors that increase your risk of 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
Treatment
When your prescription glasses can't clear your vision, the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery.
When to Consider Cataract Surgery:
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.
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 eye. But cataracts can
worsen faster in people with diabetes.
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.
If you choose not to undergo cataract surgery now, your eye doctor may recommend periodic
follow-up exams to see if your cataracts are progressing. How often you'll see your eye doctor
depends on your situation.
Prevention
No studies have proved how to prevent cataracts or slow the progression of cataracts. But doctors think several strategies may be helpful, including:
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.