Cataracts can cloud your view of the world, as though you were looking through a dusty windshield. They form over the lens in the eye and, without treatment, can make it hard for you to see.
Cataracts are most often a result of age-related changes in the eyes. Less often, they can be caused by other things, like traumatic eye injury. Because cataracts are so common, it pays to know a few facts about them.
1. You can be born with a cataract. It's rare, but sometimes babies can be born with a cataract or develop one early in childhood. These congenital cataracts are easy to spot during an infant checkup.
2. Your eye color can affect your risk. Have dark brown eyes? If so, you may be more likely to develop cataracts than someone with lighter-colored eyes.
3. Diabetes can cause early cataracts. High blood sugar affects the body from head to toe, and the eyes are no exception. It changes the eyes' lenses in ways that speed up the growth of cataracts. Your risk is related to how long you have diabetes and how well it's controlled.
4. A variety of vision changes can signal cataracts. In addition to cloudy, dim or blurry vision, cataracts can cause:
• Double (ghost) images.
• More glare than usual at night from streetlights or car headlights.
• Colors that appear faded or yellowish.
• A need for more light at night to read.
5. Surgery can remove cataracts. Cataract surgery replaces the cloudy lens with a clear, artificial one. You might be a candidate if you have cataracts that interfere with your daily life. Cataracts will not form on the artificial lens, but sometimes scar tissue can cause what's called a secondary cataract. This can also be corrected with a quick procedure.
6. You can take steps to prevent or delay cataracts. Help reduce your risk by:
• Wearing ultraviolet (UV)-blocking sunglasses.
• Avoiding smoking.
• Eating nutritious foods that promote eye health.
• Wearing protective eyewear while playing sports or using power tools.
Watson Clinic’s team of
Optometry specialists can help to diagnose the development of cataracts and provide easy referrals to our
Ophthalmology department when surgical intervention is needed. Call 863-680-7486 to schedule an appointment with either department, and visit
WatsonClinic.com/Vision for more information.
Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology; American Diabetes Association; National Eye Institute