Cataracts are one of the most common age-related eye conditions, and they can have a significant impact on vision. In this article, we’ll explain what cataracts are, the symptoms they cause, their potential treatments, and how to prevent them.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts are a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye, which leads to blurred vision. Most cataracts develop slowly over time, so they may not be noticed until they interfere with daily activities such as driving or reading. Common risk factors for developing cataracts include age, family history, injury, certain medical conditions and medications, and excessive exposure to UV rays.
Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts.
The early signs and symptoms of cataracts include blurry vision, double vision, colors appearing duller, sensitivity to light and glare, halos around lights at night, and trouble seeing at night. Individuals with cataracts may also experience frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions, or they may find their eyesight improves temporarily after they switch eyeglasses. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see an eye specialist for diagnosis.
Left untreated, symptoms may become more pronounced over time. Cataracts can cause complete vision loss, so it’s important to take steps to diagnose and treat the condition as early as possible. As cataracts grow, light rays cannot pass through the lens of your eye normally, leading to distorted and blurred vision. Common complaints include difficulty distinguishing faces or details with either one or both eyes; trouble reading due to a decrease in contrast and depth perception; problems driving at night due to increased glare from cars; and increased sensitivity to light caused by the affected lens’s ability to direct rays away from their target.
Prevention and Coping Strategies for Cataracts.
Prevention is the best way to protect your vision from cataracts. Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, quitting smoking, and wearing hats with wide brims while outdoors can all help reduce your risk of developing cataracts. Additionally, dietary changes such as increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables, which are high in antioxidants can also help to prevent cataracts. If you already have cataracts, there are measures you can take to make living with them easier. These include wearing magnifying glasses or using bright lights for reading tasks and avoiding activities that require intense near vision such as threading a needle.
If you have any questions regarding cataracts please call any of our stores.
