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Cataracts
What are the Causes and Treatments of Cataracts?
A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye develops opacity or begins clouding. This lens is normally clear and is located behind the pupil. Its primary purpose is to focus light onto the retina adjusting to objects close up and far away. The protein which makes up the lens sometimes begins to clump with age causing cataracts. When the protein clumps it causes the lens to have a clouding effect.
There are a few types of cataracts: nuclear cataract, cortical cataract and subcapsular cataract. The most common is nuclear cataracts which forms in the center of the lens and is typically caused by aging. Cortical cataracts form on the outside of the lens extending inward with time and is usually developed by diabetics. Subcapsular cataracts start at the back of the lens and are also common among diabetics or those taking high doses of steroids.
It is difficult to detect a cataract due to the fact that it typically starts out small and may have little or no effect on vision. One of the first symptoms of cataracts which you may experience is blurred or cloudy vision. A cataract typically develops slowly and causes no pain. As a cataract develops further blurry vision will gradually get worse and may spread throughout the lens. If a cataract is untreated the cloudy lens can lead to blindness. In order to detect cataracts at the early stages it is pertinent to have routine eye exams. Contact your Family Vision Center physician today to schedule your eye exam.
Cataracts do not change to overall appearance of the eye, but they do affect your vision. The type of cataract you have will determine what symptoms you will have, but common overall symptoms include: increased difficulty with night vision, clouded or blurred vision, light sensitivity, halos around lights, yellowing of colors and even double vision. All of these symptoms can cause extreme eyestrain and discomfort. Talk to your Family Vision Center doctor to discuss in detail the symptoms of cataracts.
Although it is difficult to say exactly why one gets a cataract, the most obvious cause is aging. Nearly half of Americans develop some degree of lens clouding by age 65 and by age 75 almost 70 percent have cataracts which do affect vision. With age the lens of the eye becomes less flexible and thicker. As discussed earlier the protein which makes up the lens in a normal eye is arranged in a precise manner. The protein structure breaks down with age causing the proteins to clump around the lens causing clouding. Routine eye exams are important for people of all ages, but even more so in the elder. Speak with a Family Vision Center staff member today to schedule your routine eye exam and get checked for cataracts.
Other factors which have been linked to cataracts include: diabetes, family history of cataracts, previous eye injury, past eye surgery, extended use of steroids, overexposure to sunlight and even smoking. There are many other risk factors that are currently being studied (and have not been proven) which include: diets high in antioxidants, air pollution and heavy alcohol consumption. Although it is rare, some people are born with cataracts. Those born with cataracts do not typically have vision problems, but they are still usually removed after they are detected. Contact Family Vision Center today to discuss your risk factors.
The treatment for a cataract depends on what type you have and how far it has progressed. Your eye doctor might suggest new glasses, strong bifocals or other visual aids if your symptoms are new. Some medications have been found which can induce cataract development, but might just be used as a temporary fix. If your cataracts have progressed to the point of impairing your vision than your eye doctor might recommend cataract surgery. The surgery to remove cataracts is simple and often painless.
Cataract surgery is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States. This can be due to cataract surgeries high success rates, with 9 out of 10 people regaining their vision. Cataract surgery involves the surgeon removing your clouded lens and many times replacing it with a clear plastic lens. Cataract surgery is so simple that many times you are able to go home the same day. The doctors at Family Vision Center will be happy to co-manage your cataract surgery with a successful surgeon.