It
now seems routine that the majority of seniors get cataract
surgery, and indeed almost 75 percent of those age 65 years
or older will develop cataracts. What are cataracts and do we
always need surgery to take care of this problem?
What
are cataracts?
Cataracts
are cloudy areas on the lens of our eyes. Our optical lens helps
to focus light on our retina, which helps interpret images to our
brain. Protein deposits on the lens can form over time. With more
accumulation and the lens becoming more opaque, light tends to end
up at that lens rather than being transferred to the retina.
The
majority of cataracts are age-related, but cataracts can also result
from congenital abnormalities at birth, eye injuries, and diseases
such as diabetes.
What
causes cataracts?
No
one knows for sure, but there are a number of risk factors that
can cause cataracts to develop. These include:
- Age
- Diabetes
- Eye
injuries
- Prolonged
exposure to sunlight
- Inflammatory
eye disorders such as uveitis
- Radiation
exposure such as x-rays
- Chronic
steroid use
- Smoking
What
are the symptoms?
The
most obvious symptom of cataracts is blurred vision. People tend
to notice a problem when driving, especially at night. You may also
have a problem with bright light, or differentiating between color
vision. There is no pain involved and the problem becomes more gradual
over time.
The
most common signs and symptoms include:
- Cloudy
or blurry vision
- Poor
night vision
- Double
or multiple vision
- Frequent
changes in your eyeglass or contact lens prescription
- Problems
with light (such as a halo around lights, glare from lamps or
bright sunlight, or headlights that seem too bright at night)
- Colors
seem faded
How
is it diagnosed?
The
opaque lens (cataract) is commonly detected during an eye examination.
Your doctor or eye care provider can easily see the opaque lens.
During the eye examination, your vision will usually also be tested
and your eye dilated so that the eye can be examined more closely.
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What
happens when a cataract develops
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Normally
light passes through the lens (which helps focus the
light) then goes onto the retina, which sends the visual
signals to the brain. To produce clear, sharp images,
the lens must remain clear, much like the lens in a
camera.
The
lens is made primarily of water and protein, but sometimes
the protein clumps together. This causes the lens in
that area to appear cloudy (a cataract). Some light
is then blocked from reaching the retina interfering
with your vision. As less light reaches the retina,
your vision becomes blurry.
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Is
surgery the only treatment option?
The
most effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. However, most
ophthalmologists do not recommend surgery if the cataract is still
in its early formation. An alternative treatment may include wearing
eyeglasses or contact lenses, or improving light conditions.
Generally
cataracts are removed only if the blurred vision affects your daily
activities, or if the obscured lens prevents examination or treatment
of other eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy. Cataract surgery
is one of the most common operations performed today, and it is
both safe and effective.
It
is generally regarded as an outpatient procedure and does not require
general anesthesia. About 95 percent of the people who have cataract
surgery have improved vision after the surgery.
Can
cataracts be prevented?
With
our population today getting older and older, experts believe that
all of us will develop cataracts some day. The key is to avoid some
of the risk factors described above. Use of a good pair of UV-protected
sunglasses can help reduce the amount of sunlight your eyes receive.
Taking
vitamin A and beta-carotone may aid in the prevention of cataracts.
It is also imperative that you have an annual eye exam so that cataracts
can be diagnosed early and treated effectively.
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