Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding in the lens of the eye, causing vision to blur. Because of this clouding, light cannot pass through the lens as easily, causing a blurred vision, as if one were looking through a foggy window. As such, the cloudier the lens, the blurrier the sufferer's vision. Cataracts may be partial or complete.

Types of Cataracts

Cataracts can fall under three different categories. A cataract that forms in the nucleus, which is the center of the lens, is known as a nuclear cataract. This usually occurs due to aging and is therefore the most commonly occurring variety. A subcapsular cataract originates from the back of the lens; people with diabetes, far sightedness, or people taking large amounts of steroids are at a bit of a higher risk for developing this variety of cataract. Lastly, a cortical cataract begins in the lens cortex and slowly spreads from the outside of the lens to the center. Diabetics are also at higher risk for this type.

Causes of Cataracts

This degenerative eye disease develops because of a variety of reasons, including:

• long-term ultraviolet light exposure,
• effects of diseases such as diabetes,
• advanced age,
• high blood pressure, and
• trauma.

Also, family history can also be a factor, especially when the disease develops at an earlier age.

Cataract Symptoms

Cataracts generally cause gradual loss of vision. Cataracts begin small, and the sufferer may notice vision is a little blurred, though they may not think much of it at first. Sometimes it can make bright lights, such as oncoming headlights, appear to be too bright. Also, colors might not be as vibrant.

Symptoms of cataracts tend to vary depending on the type of cataracts and when they develop. Nuclear cataracts, for example, offer a temporary sharpness in near vision, giving the sufferer a "second sight." This goes away after a little while, at the same time that the overall vision worsens. The worsening vision can put a halt on a few aspects of a sufferer's life, such as driving or reading fine print.

Treatments for Cataracts

Cataracts can be treated through surgery. In fact, with cataracts, surgery is a very effective way to restore already-lost vision, unlike other degenerative eye diseases. During the operation, the surgeon removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a clear lens made of plastic.

Before surgery is performed (provided the cataracts are not too far developed), vision can be temporarily improved by wearing prescription glasses or bifocals or by using other forms of visual aids.

Conclusion

While developing cataracts may be troubling at first—and it will be troubling, because nobody ever enjoys losing their vision—there is every reason in the world to have hope that the cataracts can be reversed. Surgery is often so successful that patients leave the hospital with near-perfect vision.

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