Understanding Eye Cataracts: A Brief Guide
Vision problems caused by cataracts can make everyday activities more difficult. You might have trouble driving, reading, or recognizing faces. Read on to discover more about this condition and how it can be remedied.
What Are Eye Cataracts?
A cataract is an obstruction that forms in the eye's natural lens. The lens is responsible for focusing light onto the retina, which in turn produces clear vision. When the lens becomes cloudy, light is scattered inside the eye instead of being focused properly. This can cause vision to become blurred.
Cataracts are most commonly found in older adults, but they can occur at any age. The eye's lens is made mostly of water and protein. As you age, some of the protein elements can form clumps that eventually obstruct a small area of the lens.
What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?
Cataracts usually develop slowly and painlessly. They typically form in both eyes but can sometimes only affect one eye at a time. You might not always notice any vision problems in the early stages of development, but as the cataract grows, symptoms may include:
- Blurry vision
- Double vision or multiple images in one eye
- Colors that are faded or seem less bright
- Glare, halos, and starbursts around lights
- Poor night vision
These symptoms can greatly interfere with your quality of life. If you experience any of them, be sure to see an eye doctor as soon as possible. You don't want to wait until the cataracts are fully developed before seeking treatment.
The Main Types of Cataracts
There are three main types of cataracts, each of which is discussed below.
Nuclear Cataracts
These form in the center of the eye's lens and are most common in older adults. They tend to grow slowly and don't usually cause vision problems until later in life. You're likely to notice yellowing or browning of your vision with nuclear cataracts.
Cortical Cataracts
These form in the lens' outer edges and can cause your vision to appear whiter than normal. They often develop after trauma to the eye. Cortical cataracts usually don't affect your vision until they've grown large enough to cover the center of your pupil.
Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts
These form at the back of the eye's lens and are often associated with long-term steroid use. They can cause symptoms such as blurry vision, poor night vision, and the need for more light when reading.
How Are Cataracts Treated?
Cataract surgery is the most common operation performed worldwide. About four million people in the US alone have the procedure each year to correct this problem. During the procedure, the eye's natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. It's a fairly quick and straightforward procedure that usually takes only a few minutes.
Cataract surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, so you won't have to stay in the hospital overnight. You'll be given eye drops to help your eye heal and reduce inflammation. You might also be given a protective eye shield to wear at night for the first week or so after surgery.
Contact a local eye cataract service to learn more.