Understanding cataracts
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Individuals ' bodies , including their eyes , change with age . Vision can become less sharp as a person ages . Some aging individuals also experience difficulty seeing in bright light or in the evening . Cataracts may be to blame for these vision changes .
The National Eye Institute estimates that , by 2050 , the number of people in the United States with cataracts is expected to reach roughly 50 million . Those projections suggest now is a great time for people of all ages to learn more about cataracts .
What causes cataracts ?
The American Academy of Ophthalmology says normal changes in the eye occur after turning 40 . Notably , normal proteins in the lens - the clear portion of the eye that sits behind the pupil - begin to break down , leading to a gradual cloudiness of the lens . Most cataracts are related to aging . However , babies , children and middle-aged adults also can experience cataracts from birth or related to specific medical conditions , offers Johns Hopkins Medicine . An injury to the eye also may cause cataracts .
Symptoms of cataracts
Individuals with cataracts may begin to experience diminished vision . Harvard Medical School says cataracts typically do not cause any symptoms until they have grown large enough to affect vision . Afterwards , symptoms can include :
— Double vision — Cloudy or blurry vision — Seeing halos around lights — Increased glare sensitivity — Colors appearing faded or yellow — Requiring more light to read — Difficulty seeing well at night
Cataract development
Cataracts tend to form gradually . A cataract may be in one eye or both . It may be possible to slow down the development of cataracts by protecting the eyes from sunlight . Wearing sunglasses that filter out UV rays or regular eyeglasses with anti-UV coating can help . Proper treatment for diabetes and quitting smoking can help reduce risk of cataract development as well .
Cataract diagnosis and treatment
An eye doctor will examine dilated eyes to diagnose cataracts . A slit-lamp microscope can make it easier to spot abnormalities , states the AOA .
The eye professional will consider age and the severity of cataracts to determine a treatment strategy . Early loss of vision due to cataracts may be mitigated by stronger lighting or a change in eyeglasses or contact lens prescription .
Johns Hopkins says cataract surgery is one of the most common eye surgeries . It is safe and effective . An ophthalmologist will remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial , clear lens . If cataracts are present in both eyes , each surgery will be performed separately . A possible complication of cataract surgery is when a part of the natural lens that is not taken out during surgery becomes cloudy and blurs eyesight . This can be remedied with a laser treatment .
Cataracts are a common byproduct of aging , but they can be successfully managed to improve eyesight outcomes .
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