Cataract is a condition in which the crystalline lens of the eye or the capsule or both becomes opaque with the subsequent loss of vision. By age 80, most people either have cataracts or have had cataract surgery.
We have a natural lens inside our eyes. When the light comes into our eyes, the lens bends the light to help us see. When you start developing cataract, your lens becomes cloudy. Things look blurry, hazy or less colorful with a cataract.
Symptoms
Initially, cataract has very little effect on your vision. If you have cataract, you may notice some vision changes – like having blurry vision, double vision, you will become extra sensitive to light. You may feel that when you drive at night the oncoming headlight’s cause more glare. Or you may need more light when you read or do close-up work. Colors become muted, and activities like reading and driving becomes almost impossible. It’s as if you are seeing everything through a cloud or fog.
Causes
Aging is the most common cause of developing cataract. Cataract develops due to the normal eye changes that happens as the process of aging. It starts when the proteins in the lens start to break down and causes the lens to get cloudy.
You are at higher risk of developing Cataracts if you: Smoke, Drink too much alcohol, or spent too much time in the sun without sunglasses.
Cataracts can be developed by some health problems or treatments as well like: Diabetes, Eye injury or Eye surgery, taking medicines for a long period of time that have steroids. Getting radiation treatment for cancer or any other diseases.
There are 5 types of cataracts –
Age Related Cataracts – Cataract is a natural process of aging in which the lens of your eye changes and starts becoming cloudy. And your vision starts getting blurry.
Traumatic Cataracts – Serious eye injuries can cause to develop cataracts in your eye. Because of the eye injury cataract can develop in few months or it may take years to develop.
Radiation Cataracts – Few kinds of Radiation can cause cataracts. For ex – radiation from cancer treatment or ultra violet (UV) rays from sun.
Congenital/Pediatric Cataracts – Even children can get cataracts. They can be born with the cataracts; i.e. congenital cataracts or they may develop in later years. Cataracts in kids is very rare and are usually genetic. Children can have cataracts because of the serious complications during pregnancy. Kids can have cataracts for the same reasons as adults – Ex: eye injuries, radiation or steroids.
Secondary Cataracts – This kind of cataract can cause after the cataract surgery. This condition causes your vision cloudy again. But this is an easy fix – your doctor can do the treatment in his office.
Secondary cataracts are actually not cataracts, but it causes the same vision problems like – cloudy and blurry eyes. After cataract surgery, a thin film/membrane develops outside the lens and it develops same symptoms as you get in cataracts.
How to prevent/delay Cataracts
- Wear sunglasses and hat to block the sun
- Quit Smoking
- Get a dilated Eye-Exam at least every 2 years
- Eat healthy – Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet.
