A condition in which the lens of the eye becomes blurred is called cataracts. Normally, eye lenses are clear. The vision of people with cataracts is like seeing through a frosty or fogged window. As a result, blurred vision may make it difficult to read, drive a car, and perform other daily tasks.
However, approximately all cataracts develop slowly and do not cause sight problems in the early stages, but when the condition advances, it actually affects the vision.
When the condition begins, stronger lighting and eyeglasses may help improve the symptoms. If the condition advances it may interact with daily activities and physicians may recommend surgery. In any case, the surgery to treat cataracts is safe and effective.
Symptoms
People with this condition usually experience the following symptoms. For example:
- Vision changes (including blurred, clouded, or dim vision)
- Difficulty seeing during nighttime
- Increased light sensitivity
- Frequently need more light for reading and performing other activities
- Regular changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription
- Yellowing or fading of colors
- Double vision (this symptom usually happens in one eye only)
Commonly, blurred or clouded vision negatively affects only a part of the eye, as you cannot identify any vision loss. However, when the cataracts grow larger, people begin to notice vision problems as the light that passes through the lens is changed.
If you notice any vision abnormalities or any of the previous symptoms, it is advised to visit a doctor immediately. In addition, people with cataracts also may develop other symptoms. For example sudden eye pain, double vision, flashes of light, headaches, and others.
Causes
In most cases, this eye condition occurs due to aging or damage to the eye’s lens tissue. Eye trauma or injuries may cause the fibers and proteins in the lens to begin to break down causing vision to become cloudy or hazy.
Some inherited disorders also may increase the risk of cataracts. However, there are other causes that also may lead to cataracts. These include previous eye surgery, diabetes, steroid medicine use, and others.
How do the Cataracts Develop?
This condition occurs when the lens located behind the iris (the colored eye part) becomes cloudy. In normal circumstances, lenses focus the light that enters the eye allowing us to see clear and sharp images on the retina (the back eye part).
However, the lenses usually become less flexible and clear and thicker with aging. Therefore, aging, along with certain health conditions, may cause the proteins and fibers located within the lenses to break down and clump. As a result, cloudy vision happens. Anyway, this process occurs slowly and regular eye examinations may identify the condition in its early stages.
Additionally, clouding worsens when the cataracts grow. Moreover, it blocks the light that enters the eye through these lenses. Commonly, this eye condition occurs in both eyes, but not every time at the same rate.
Cataract Types
- Nuclear cataracts – After this procedure, far objects may appear blurry, but closer ones appear clear. This treatment may improve reading vision temporarily. However, with time, the lenses may turn more brown or yellow, which causes the vision to worsen.
- Cortical cataracts – This type of condition often affects the lens edges. When it grows, the spots or streaks may spread to the center negatively affecting the light that enters the eye.
- Posterior subcapsular cataracts – In such cases, a small spot begins to appear near the lens back. Commonly, this cataract type affects reading vision and may cause glare or halos around the lights during nighttime. Furthermore, this cataract type develops quite faster than previous ones.
- Congenital cataracts – Sometimes, people are born with cataracts or develop the condition during childhood. There are multiple causes that lead to congenital cataracts. For example, abnormal genes received from biological parents, infections that occur during pregnancy in the womb, or certain health conditions. These include myotonic dystrophy, galactosemia, and neurofibromatosis type 2, or rubella (also called German measles).
Risk Factors
Physicians identified some factors that may increase your risk of developing cataracts. These include:
- Aging
- Diabetes
- Too much sunlight
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Family history of cataracts
- Previous eye inflammation or injury
- Past eye surgeries
- Use of corticosteroid medicines for long periods
- Heavy alcohol drinking
How to Prevent Cataracts?
Unfortunately, there are no researches that have proven to slow or prevent this eye condition. Nonetheless, physicians think the following tips may help. For example:
- Regular eye examinations – These examinations may help identify the condition in the early stages.
- Quit smoking or never begin
- Manage existing diseases – It is advised to treat chronic health conditions (such as diabetes). Otherwise, your risk of developing cataracts will increase.
- Adopt a healthy diet – However, it is advised to choose a healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables whether you are at risk of developing cataracts or not. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that foods rich in minerals and vitamins may reduce the risk of developing this eye condition.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from ultraviolet light from the sun.
- Limit or avoid alcoholic beverages
Diagnosis
Usually, physicians diagnose this condition by performing an eye examination and asking some questions about the symptoms and your family history. Moreover, they also may perform some tests to confirm the condition and rule out others that may cause similar symptoms. For example:
- Vision test – This test uses an eye chart that helps measure how well you can read. It is also called a visual acuity test, and reading occurs while one eye is covered.
- Eye structure examination – This test is used to look at the front eye structures closer. It helps identify any irregularities associated with eye disorders (such as cataracts).
- Retinal examination – During this procedure, physicians look at the back of the eyes (retina). Doctors use an ophthalmoscope to check the eye for abnormalities linked with cataracts.
- Fluid pressure test (also called applanation tonometry) – This test is used to measure the pressure inside the eye.
Treatment
Doctors usually recommend different treatments for people with cataracts. It depends on the severity and type of the condition, your age, and other factors. However, if the prescription glasses cannot clear the vision, the only treatment available is surgery.
The surgery for this eye condition involves the removal of the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial and clean one. Therefore, this artificial lens remains a part of your eye permanently. However, if the surgery is not an option, the vision can be corrected with contact lenses or eyeglasses after the cataract is removed. Generally, surgery to remove cataracts is safe and does not require further hospitalization. Moreover, physicians use local anesthesia, which means you will stay awake during the surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary symptoms of cataracts?
- Halos around lights, especially during nighttime
- Double vision that happens often in one eye only
- Fading colors
- Blurred or hazy vision
- Poor reading vision
If any of the previous symptoms occur, do not hesitate to see a doctor.
What is the most common and effective treatment for cataracts?
When the vision cannot be corrected with glasses, physicians recommend surgery that may help completely recover the vision. During this procedure, your cloudy lens will be replaced with a clear and artificial one.
What happens if cataracts are left untreated?
People with cataracts may experience complications caused by the disease itself and surgery to treat this eye condition. For example:
- Glaucoma
- Retinal detachment
- Macular degeneration
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Dislocation of the replaced lenses
- Cystoid macular edema
This article does not contain all possible complications of cataracts. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
