Cataracts are a common age-related eye condition that affect millions of people each year, including more than half of Americans over 60. They develop as proteins gradually accumulate in the eye’s natural lens, causing it to become thicker, darker, and increasingly clouded. Over time, this process distorts vision, making daily tasks more difficult. If left untreated, cataracts can progressively impair sight, potentially leading to significant vision loss or even blindness. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preserving clear vision and maintaining quality of life.
Causes of Cataracts
The lens within the eye clouds naturally as we age, causing a gradual reduction of vision. There are numerous other causes of cataracts, including:
Trauma
Medication
Diabetes
Alcohol use
Smoking
Exposure to radiation
Underlying higher risk medical conditions
Previous eye surgery
Prolonged exposure to UV light
Diagnosis of Cataracts
A series of tests are performed in order to diagnose a cataract. Some of these tests may include:
Comprehensive ocular examination
Refraction
Fundus evaluation
Ultrasonography
Optical coherence tomography
Symptoms of Cataracts
Patients with cataracts often do not experience any symptoms when the condition first develops. Cataracts will continue to progress with no apparent pain, although patients may experience some of the following symptoms:
Blurry or hazy vision
Double vision
Colors that appear to be faded
Poor vision in bright light
Seeing halos around lights
Poor night time vision
Yellowish tinged vision
Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions
Glare or difficulty with night driving from headlights
Early cataracts can sometimes be treated with non-surgical methods such as:
New eyeglass prescription
Anti-glare sunglasses
Magnifying lenses
Installing lighting that is brighter
If the cataracts begin to interfere with reading ability, work or other daily activities, cataract surgery may be recommended. If cataracts are in both eyes, surgery will be performed on one eye at a time, usually one to two weeks apart. Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the United States.
