A cataract is a natural occurrence when the clear lens inside our eye becomes cloudy. Cataracts develop slowly and reduce the amount of light that can get through the lens, making it difficult to see. Those with this condition feel as though they’re perpetually looking through a dirty window that cannot be cleaned.
Elevated Eye Health
Cataracts
Causes
It is impossible to predict how quickly a cataract may develop, but the following are risk factors that are known to accelerate the process
- Diabetes
- Exposure to ultraviolet light
- Smoking
- Poor nutrition
You can also get cataracts following an eye injury or after eye surgery for another ocular condition, such as glaucoma.
Symptoms
You might not have any symptoms at first when cataracts are mild. But as they grow, cataracts can cause changes in your vision. For example, you may notice that:
- Your vision is cloudy or blurry
- Colors 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 or contact lenses more often
Evaluation/Treatment
During your eye health evaluation, we’ll thoroughly examine your eye lens for any signs of cataract formation. If we detect a cataract and it’s causing visual disturbances, our optometrist will refer you to a trusted and respected surgeon for cataract surgery—currently the only known treatment for cataracts.