1. The Science of Cataracts
Cataracts are defined as a clouding of the eye. The lens that covers the human eye is made mostly of water, which keeps it soft and flexible. As the body ages, the lens dries out and hardens, becoming dense. This makes it more difficult for light to move through, creating the cloudiness that is widely known as a cataract.
2. What to Look for if You Can't See
Your chances of getting cataracts increases as you age. They are so slow to develop that they're often undetected in the early stages. Patients usually only go to the eye doctor after they start having vision troubles. Blurred vision is the most common symptom associated with cataracts. People with cataracts may also experience double vision, or see washed-out colors. This is due to the gray cloud that forms on the lens of the eye. In addition, many patients report a sensitivity to light and they need their eye glass prescription updated frequently.
3. Name That Cataract
When the doctor says you have cataracts, she might be referring to one of three specific conditions: cortical, nuclear or subcapsular cataracts. The nuclear type is the most common, and it tends to be caused by aging. It affects the middle of the lens, but doesn't interfere with the patient's ability to see at a distance. People with diabetes are at risk of contracting cortical cataracts, which starts at the edges of the lens and works toward the middle. If you're nearsighted or have diabetes, you might contract a subcapsular cataract, which starts behind the lens and develops quickly.
4. Getting Rid of Cataracts
Cataract surgery is the only treatment available. The damaged lens is removed and replaced with a prosthetic lens, which allows the patient to return to pre-cataract vision. You'll be given antibiotic eye drops following the surgery to help prevent infections and soothe the eye as it heals. The cataract removal is done on an outpatient basis, under local anesthetic in most cases. The procedure is relatively simple and recovery time is very short. In fact, most patients start seeing better in a few days, although most will still require corrective lenses of some sort.
5. Cataract Fun Facts
Ninety percent of the population will develop an eye cataract before they turn 65. Even though it's easily treated, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world. Well over two million cataract surgeries are performed each year; in fact, cataract surgery is the most common therapeutic surgical procedure performed on senior citizens. Cataracts are not a precursor to cancer, as was once though. Nor are cataracts are caused by over-using the eye, and they cannot transfer from one eye to the other.
