What are Cataracts?
There is a natural lens inside the eye. It focuses light rays that come into the eye to help us to see. When a cataract is present, the lens becomes cloudy. Cataracts are a very common eye condition. They affect about 60% of people over the age of 60, and over 1.5 million cataract surgeries are done each year in the United States. The development of cataracts is a very slow process that can happen as a person ages. It can occasionally occur very rapidly and affect younger adults. As aging occurs, a chemical change arises in the lens which makes it less transparent, thus less clear. When the lens gets cloudy enough to obstruct vision, this is a cataract.
Symptoms of Cataracts
When you have a cataract, here are some vision issues you may experience:
- Blurry vision
- Double Vision
- Nighttime Glare and Light sensitivity
- Having trouble seeing in the dark
- Seeing bright colors as faded or yellow instead
Who is at Risk for Cataracts?
Aging is the most common cause of cataracts. It is due to normal changes in the eyes that start to happen around the age of 40. This is when normal proteins found the lens start to break down. People with a family history of cataracts, medical problems like diabetes, or have had an eye injury before may also develop cataracts. Age-related cataracts develop slowly whereas other cataracts may develop at a faster rate. Unfortunately, doctors are not able to predict the rate at which a person’s cataract will develop.
Treatments for Cataracts
The only treatment for cataracts is surgery. If cataracts are not very severe, you may only need a new glasses prescription to help you see better. If the cataracts are very bothersome, then surgery
is needed. During the cataract surgery, your eye surgeon will remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens. Your eye doctor at the Boston Eye Group may recommend this surgery to you if your vision is becoming impaired.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are noticing any signs of cataracts, talk to your eye doctor. It is important to continue getting regular eye examinations so that any early signs of this eye disease can be detected. To make an appointment, call the Boston Eye Group today.