While younger people can develop this problem, cataracts usually develop in older adults. Cataracts are cloudy parts on the lens of the eye, normally a clear component in the eye that focuses images on the retina. Cataracts form when the proteins on the lens come together in clumps. These little groupings of protein can grow larger, affecting your vision by blocking some of the light which would normally pass through the lens.
People with cataracts start forming them in their late forties to fifties with no major vision problems occurring until their early sixties. In addition, a minority of the cases can be cause by diabetes, certain medications or even eye injury. Some scientists claim that cigarette smoke and prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause cataracts as well.
How do you know when you have cataracts?
Most cataracts as they start to develop do not hinder your vision. In fact, most people don't know they have them unless they get an in-depth eye exam. However, once those proteins start to build up, you could start to develop blurry or cloudy eye sight. Double vision is not uncommon nor is the halo effect, a ring that you might see around bright lights. Reduced vibrancy in color and problems with glare are additional symptoms.
Diagnosing cataracts
Most cataracts are found via an eye exam, some before a lot of symptoms manifest themselves and others once vision problems start. For people with diseases that are susceptible to cataracts like diabetes, they are given the vision testing automatically. The doctors dilate your pupils so that they can examine the lens within your eye. Sometimes, there is a cloudiness readily visible on the eye and sometimes not. A vision test is also conducted to determine exactly how much the vision is affected.
Prevention and treatment of cataracts
Age related cataracts cannot be prevented. Therefore, you should make it a point to have your eyes checked regularly for any problems. This is really the only way to detect cataracts before they start to affect your vision. If you have a disease where cataracts are more common like diabetes, then be careful to always regulate your blood sugar and make eye exams a biannual event.
Surgery is the only surefire way to treat cataracts. If you are ambivalent about surgery, you will have to weight the benefits and risks of having the surgery and decide if your vision is bad enough to warrant the treatment. There are a few treatments to consider when trying to correct a cataract:
1. Extracapsular cataract extraction - Basically sound waves are used to break up the cloudy clumps on the eye lens which are then sucked out, leaving your own lens intact.
2. Intracapsular cataract extraction - The lens is removed in this type of surgery and a plastic one is put in its place or you can choose to wear special contact lenses or cataract glasses.
The type of treatment for cataracts you choose will depend on your overall health, risk factors regarding your vision as well as what the doctor deems would be most appropriate for your eyesight. Of course, great strides are being made every day and chances are that when you might need the surgery, there will be additional treatment options.
