What are Cataracts

 

What are Cataracts?

Cataracts happen to be another of the most widely existing eye problems. The formation of cloudy areas in the eye lens is referred as the cataracts. Light passes through a clear eye lens to your retina (just like a camera), where images are processed. With cataracts affecting your eye lens, light cannot pass through to the retina smoothly enough. As a result, you are unable to see as clearly as people without cataracts and may also notice a halo or glare around lights at night.

What are the types of cataracts?

Most cataracts are age-related which happen because of normal changes in your eyes as you get older. But you can get cataracts for other reasons such as after an eye injury or after surgery for another eye problem (like glaucoma).

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

You might not have any symptoms at first because of most of the times, the formation of cataracts is a slow process But as cataracts grow, they can cause changes in your vision. For example, you may notice that:

·         Your vision is cloudy or blurry

·         Colours look faded

·         You can’t see well at night

·         Lamps, sunlight, or headlights seem too bright

·         You see a halo around lights

·         You see double (this sometimes goes away as the cataract gets bigger)

·         You have to change the prescription for your glasses often

These symptoms can be a sign of other eye problems, too. Be sure to talk to your eye doctor if you have any of these problems.

Over time, cataracts can lead to vision loss.

Am I at risk for cataracts?

Your risk for cataracts goes up as you get older. You’re also at higher risk if you:

·         Have certain health problems, like diabetes

·         Smoke

·         Drink too much alcohol

·         Have a family history of cataracts

·         Have had an eye injury, eye surgery, or radiation treatment on your upper body

·         Have spent a lot of time in the sun

·         Take steroids (medicines used to treat a variety of health problems, like arthritis and rashes)

What causes cataracts?

Your risk for cataracts goes up as you get older. Furthermore, you are also at higher risk if you:

·         Have certain health problems, like diabetes

·         Smoke

·         Drink too much alcohol

·         Have a family history of cataracts

·         Have had an eye injury, eye surgery, or radiation treatment on your upper body

·         Have spent a lot of time in the sun

·         Take steroids (medicines used to treat a variety of health problems, like arthritis and rashes)

How can I prevent from Cataracts?

·         Wearing sunglasses and a hat

·         Quitting smoking

·         Eating healthy

·         Getting a dilated eye exam

 

What’s the treatment for cataracts?

The good news is that surgery can get rid of cataracts.

Cataract surgery is the only way to get rid of a cataract, but you may not need to get surgery right away.

To emphasize, this surgery is very safe, and 9 out of 10 people who get it can see better afterwards.

As home treatments, you can do things like

·         use brighter lights at home or work

·         wear anti-glare sunglasses

·         use magnifying lenses for reading and other activities.

And also, a new prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses can help you see better with cataracts early on.

 

Penned By: Venuri Senadheera