Cataracts affect the lens of the eye. When a person has a cataract, the lens is obstructed by a cloudy mass that prevents him from seeing clearly, with her field of vision resembling a fogged window.
Statistics
According to the National Eye Institute, more than 50 percent of Americans who have reached the age of 80 either have cataracts or have had cataract surgery.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of cataracts include blurred or clouded vision, sensitivity to light, difficulty seeing at night, fading of eye color and double vision in one eye.
Tests
Cataracts can only be diagnosed by a professional. Three tests can detect cataracts. A visual acuity test is when you are asked to read letters on a chart located across the room. Each row of letters on the chart will progress to a smaller size. This test will determine the sharpness of your vision.
The Slit-Lamp exam allows your eye doctor to see the contents of the front of your eye at a magnified view. The microscope used is called a slit lamp. This microscope produces a powerful line of light that will illuminate the frontal features of the eye such as the iris, lens and cornea.
The retinal exam is a procedure in which the physician will dilate your eyes with special eye drops to enlarge the pupils. Once the eyes are fully dilated, he would usually examine the eye's retina. However, to check for cataracts, he will use either a slit lamp or ophthalmoscope to examine the lens for signs of cataracts. If cataracts are found, he will then be able to determine the extent of the cataract, including how dense the clouding is on the lens.
Treatment Options
The only treatment for cataracts is surgery, which is done on one eye at a time and is often done on an outpatient basis. During surgery, local anesthesia is provided while the physician removes the affected lens. Once the clouded lens is removed, a clear lens implant is inserted. Surgery is recommended for someone with cataracts once their ability to complete basic tasks becomes affected, such as driving.
Prevention
According to the Mayo Clinic, the key to early detection is regular eye exams. For someone over the age of 65, an eye exam should be performed every two years. The Mayo Clinic also suggests that people refrain from smoking and avoid extended sun exposure. Both of these activities greatly increase the chances of developing cataracts.
