A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in the eye's natural lens. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. A cataract can occur in either or both eyes but cannot spread from one eye to the other. It is the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 40 and is also the principal cause of blindness in the world.
Cataract Signs and Symptoms
At first, a cataract may have little effect on your vision. You may notice your vision is a little blurred, as though you were looking through glass. Symptoms may increase over time, and can include:
Types of Cataracts
The lens is composed of layers, like an onion. The outermost is the capsule. The layer inside the capsule is the cortex, and the innermost layer is the nucleus. A cataract may develop in any of these areas. Cataracts are named for their location in the lens:
What Causes Cataracts?
The lens in your eye is mostly made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it.
As we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract, and over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see.
Besides advancing age, cataract risk factors include:
How Is a Cataract Diagnosed?
Cataracts are diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination by your ophthalmologist. This examination may include:
We are equipped to handle all of these and other tests to fully diagnose your condition. If it’s been a while, or if you have noticed a decrease in your vision, please call us to set up a time for an exam.
Next month we’ll look at the treatments available for Cataracts. Did you know that it’s possible to correct your cataracts and eliminate the need for glasses or contacts? Watch for our next post!
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