Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye. Looking through a cloudy lens is like trying to see through a frosty or fogged-up window. Clouded vision can make it more difficult to read, drive a car — especially at night — or see the expression on a friend’s face. Cataracts commonly affect distance vision and cause problems with glare. They generally don’t cause irritation or pain. Most cataracts develop slowly and don’t disturb your eyesight early on. But as the clouding progresses, the cataract eventually interferes with your vision. Early on, stronger lighting and eyeglasses can help you deal with vision problems. But if impaired vision jeopardizes your normal lifestyle, you might need surgery. Fortunately, cataract removal is generally a safe, effective procedure.
Signs and Symptoms
A cataract usually develops slowly and causes no pain. At first, the cloudiness may affect only a small part of the lens (a clear, elliptical structure near the front of each eye) and you may be unaware of any vision loss. Over time, however, as the cataract grows larger, it clouds more of your lens and distorts the light passing through the lens. Eventually, this impairs your vision because of overall blur or image distortion. Signs and symptoms of cataracts include:
•Clouded, blurred or dim vision
•Increasing difficulty with vision at night
•Sensitivity to light and glare
•Halos around lights
•The need for brighter light for reading and other activities
•Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription
•Fading or yellowing of colors
•Double vision in a single eye
Risk Factors
Everyone is at risk of developing cataracts simply because age is the greatest risk factor. By age 65 about half of all Americans have developed some degree of lens clouding, although it may not impair vision. After age 75, as many as 70 percent of Americans have cataracts that are significant enough to impair their vision. Factors that increase your risk of cataracts include:
•Age
•Diabetes
•Family history of cataracts
•Previous eye injury or inflammation
•Previous eye surgery
•Prolonged use of corticosteroids
•Excessive exposure to sunlight
•Exposure to ionizing radiation
•Smoking
Prevention
Regular eye exams remain the key to early detection. If you’re over age 65, schedule eye exams at least every other year. Although most cataracts occur with age and can’t be avoided altogether, you can take steps to help slow or possibly prevent the development of cataracts:
•Don’t smoke. Smoking produces free radicals, increasing your risk of cataracts.
•Eat a balanced diet. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet.
•Eating lots of fruits and vegetables may have a modest effect in preventing cataract development, though this hasn’t been definitively proved.
•Protect yourself from the sun. Ultraviolet light may contribute to the development of cataracts.
•Whenever possible, wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet B (UVB) rays when you’re outdoors.