Almost everyone who lives long enough will deal with cataracts. According to the National Eye Institute, more than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to remove them. Here is what I want patients and families to know.
What a cataract is
A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye, the clear part behind the iris that helps focus light. The NEI explains that around age 40, proteins in the lens start to break down and clump together. Over many years that clump grows and clouds more of the lens. Cataracts can form in one or both eyes, but they do not spread from one eye to the other.
Early signs people often miss
- Vision that looks cloudy, hazy or blurry
- Colors that seem faded
- Headlights, lamps or sunlight that seem too bright, or halos around lights
- Trouble seeing at night
- Needing a new glasses prescription often
Early on, there may be no symptoms at all. Any of these changes can also come from other eye problems, so they deserve an exam.
Who is at higher risk
Age is the biggest factor. The NEI also lists diabetes, smoking, heavy alcohol use, a family history of cataracts, eye injury or earlier eye surgery, radiation to the upper body, a lot of time in the sun, and steroid medicines.
Do you need surgery now?
Not always. In the early stages, brighter lighting at home, anti-glare sunglasses and an updated prescription can help. The NEI notes that most people do not need to rush into surgery, and that waiting usually does not harm the eye or make surgery harder later. Surgery makes sense when cataracts get in the way of everyday life: reading, driving, especially at night, or work. Cataract surgery replaces the cloudy lens with a clear artificial lens, and the NEI reports that 9 out of 10 people see better afterward.
Protecting your eyes in the meantime
- Wear sunglasses and a brimmed hat outdoors.
- Wear protective eyewear for power tools and some sports.
- If you smoke, quitting helps your eyes as well as your heart.
- If you are 60 or older, the NEI recommends a dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years.
To schedule an exam, call our Westlake Village office at (805) 230-2126.
Source: Cataracts (National Eye Institute (NIH)). This article is an educational summary written by Khanna Vision Institute and is not a substitute for medical advice.