What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects the vision, makes the vision blurry and increases the glare from lights.
Who gets cataracts?
By the age of 80 more than half of all Americans have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. Most cataracts are related to aging and are the most common in older people.
What if cataracts are left untreated?
Many people become legally blind from untreated cataracts. Cataracts can even cause total blindness if left untreated for a long period of time. Untreated cataracts will continue to worsen over time and cause continual reduction of vision.
How do I know if I have a cataract?
Some symptoms of a having a cataract might be you squinting or having to close your eyes in bright lights. Or, if you get a headache from flashes of bright light. Another sign of a cataract might be you having an appearance of halos and glare in your eye. You may notice an appearance of halos and glare in your field of vision.
Can I prevent getting cataracts?
Prevention is difficult but avoiding ultraviolet light from the sun by using sunglasses, avoiding steroid eye drops (unless absolutely necessary) and avoiding rare medications that may be associated with cataract progression are suggested.
We recommend everyone have an annual exam to keep help keep your eyes healthy!
