Facts You Should Know About Cataracts

Cataracts or the clouding of your eyes’ lenses are one of the leading causes of blindness in older Americans. The condition is also becoming more widespread: More than half of Americans are expected to develop cataracts by the time they’re 80 years old. Fortunately, cataracts are highly treatable. 

Despite the fact cataracts are a leading cause of blindness in the country, there are still a lot of misconceptions about them. That’s why nonprofit Prevent Blindness America declared June as Cataract Awareness Month. To help spread awareness about the condition, Downtown Eyes, your local optician, lists important facts patients should know about cataracts.  

Age is the Primary Cause of Cataracts But It’s Not the Only One

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There are different types of cataracts: congenital, traumatic, and secondary. But the most common one is age-related cataracts, which comprises about 95% of cases. As people age, old cells get replaced with new ones. However, usually around the age of 40, some of the cells in your eyes’ lenses might start to break down and clump together, blocking parts of the lenses The lenses are located behind the retina and help focus light onto the retina, which transmits the images you see to your brain. If there are cataracts preventing light from passing through the retina, your vision may become cloudy. 

Risk Factors

Patients who suffer from cataracts are usually aged 60 and above, although according to the National Eye Institute, it’s not impossible for those in their 40s and 50s to develop age-related cataracts. In general, the older you are, the greater your risk of developing cataracts. Keep in mind that age isn’t the only risk factor. 

Other risk factors include: 

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• Nutritional deficiency (specifically low levels of antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids) 

• High alcohol consumption

• Hereditary influences (a family history of cataracts) 

• Diabetes mellitus (Patients suffering from diabetes are at higher risk of developing cataracts)

• Prolonged unprotected exposure to ultraviolet rays 

• Eye inflammation

• Eye injuries 

• Long-term steroid use 

• Smoking 

Some patients mistakenly think activities such as reading, sewing, or using the computer for a long time can cause cataracts. However, the condition isn’t caused by doing certain activities. This misconception may have been formed because the said activities require sharp, clear vision. If you notice any changes in your vision, it’s important that you see an optician as soon as possible. 

The Symptoms of Cataracts Appear Gradually

Cataracts form very slowly and don’t affect vision in its early stages, making diagnosing them tricky. As the condition progresses, patients may start to experience certain symptoms. Common symptoms include: 

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• Blurry vision or double vision (this symptom may disappear as cataracts grow larger)

• A feeling there’s a film covering your eyes

• Sensitivity to bright lights or seeing halos around lights 

• Difficulty seeing at night

• Not noticing any improvements in your vision even after changing prescription eyeglasses

If you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, see your optician as soon as possible. The sooner cataracts are treated, the better. 

Preventing Cataracts

How can you lower your risk of developing cataracts? 

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• Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to limit your exposure to the sun’s UV rays – Don’t buy drugstore sunglasses which offer little protection from the sun. Choose sunglasses that are specifically designed for UV eye protection and are rated UV400 or higher. Sunglasses with this rating can block up to 99.9% of UV rays. It’d be a good idea to choose sunglasses with polarized lenses that can reduce glare.

• Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption – Smokers are at higher risk of developing cataracts. If you’re having trouble quitting, there are plenty of groups and online communities that offer support. The same goes for alcohol consumption: Try avoiding drinking or at least limit your alcohol consumption. 

• Eat a balanced diet – Try to include more fruits and dark, leafy green in your diet. Vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collard greens contain plenty of antioxidants that can help keep your eyes healthy. If you take supplements, researchers have noted lutein and zeaxanthin as well as vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc can potentially reduce your risk for developing certain eye diseases, including cataracts. 

• Undergo a routine eye examination – The best way to prevent cataracts from affecting your vision is to undergo a routine eye examination. A comprehensive eye exam can detect subtle irregularities in your vision. 

What to Expect During Eye Exams

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What should you expect during an eye exam? Eye exams may involve: 

• Learning more about the patient’s history – Your eye doctor will ask whether any vision difficulties are affecting your daily activities. 

• Measuring visual acuity or a patient’s ability to discern shapes and details they see – A visual activity test involves reading the details of a letter or a symbol from a certain distance. This test can help determine to what extent cataracts may be affecting your near vision

• Conducting a refraction test – This test will determine whether there are any changes in your eyeglass prescription. 

• Evaluating your eyes’ lenses – Your eye doctor will examine the lenses of your eyes under high magnification and illumination to see if there are any cataracts and determine their size if there are any found. 

• Evaluating your retina through a dilated pupil – Your eye doctor will give you some eye drops to dilate or widen your pupils. By dilating the pupils, an eye doctor can fully examine your optic nerve and retina. In general, those aged 60 and older should undergo a dilated eye exam at least once every two years. 

• Testing eye muscle coordination – Your eye doctor will move a flashlight in a set pattern to see if you can use both eyes. 

• Measuring the pressure of your eye – Eye pressure indicates the fluid pressure in your eyes. Abnormal eye pressure can damage your vision and may be a symptom of glaucoma, another leading cause of blindness, and other eye conditions. To measure eye pressure, your eye doctor will use a tonometer to release a puff of air onto your eye. 

• Conducting supplemental tests such as testing your color vision or glare sensitivity – Seeing faded colors and sensitivity to glare are possible symptoms of cataracts. To test your ability to differentiate colors, your eye doctor will ask you to describe illustrations composed of different colored dots. 

Regardless of your risk for developing cataracts, it’s important to see your eye doctor for an eye examination at least once a year. As you age, the risk that you develop several eye conditions increases. 

The Only Proven Way of Removing Cataracts is Through Undergoing Surgery 

If cataracts begin to affect your vision, you may need to undergo surgery. Don’t be fooled by eye drops that supposedly can dissolve cataracts. Currently, cataract surgery is the only proven way to remove cataracts. During cataract surgery, the affected lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial lens. 

Some patients may be hesitant about undergoing invasive procedures. However, you shouldn’t worry too much about minimally invasive cataract surgeries—they’re one of the most common procedures in the country, with an estimated 3.6 million procedures being conducted every year. Cataract surgeries have a 90-95% success rate in the US, and about 90 percent of cataract surgery patients report better vision after undergoing surgery. However, as with any surgery, there are some risks involved. Before making a decision to undergo the procedure, it’s important that you discuss the benefits and risks of cataract surgery with your eye doctor. 

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