Cataracts are a common vision impairment people experience as they age. In this condition, the lens of the eye becomes clouded, reducing the light passing through to the retina. This consequently impairs one’s vision and causes images to be blurred. Sometimes, they can also make images hazy or less colourful.
By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have cataracts or have had cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is a safe and effective way to address this clouding of the lens and correct vision problems.
Here are five more points you must know about cataracts:
1. They Affect Younger People, Too
While cataract is common among older people, this doesn’t mean that it only affects them.
In reality, younger adults are also at risk of developing this. Those who are poor in health, suffer severe eye injuries or take steroids and other medications can all develop cataracts. Having diabetes can also put younger people at an increased risk.
Finally, this may also affect babies. Some may be born with congenital cataracts, while some develop them in childhood due to poor development while in the womb.
2. They Cannot Be Prevented
Nothing can be done to prevent cataracts from forming. However, there are steps you can take to slow down their growth: by avoiding smoking, reducing alcohol intake, wearing sunglasses, and living a healthy lifestyle.
Furthermore, regular vision screenings help detect cataracts in their early stage. This will allow you to undergo treatment to slow down or stop vision loss.
3. They Are the Leading Cause of Blindness
Cataracts are said to be the cause of blindness in around 20 million in the world. That’s around 51% of the world population. When moderate disabilities resulting from cataracts are also taken into account, the number rises to around 53.8 million.
4. Not All Cataracts Are the Same
While you may generally know cataracts as the clouding of the eyes, it’s worth noting that this vision impairment has three different types. They are categorized according to where they form in the eye: cortical, nuclear sclerotic, and posterior subcapsular.
Cortical cataracts are those white, wedge-shaped obscurities forming along the margin in your eye and working their way towards the centre. Nuclear sclerotic, on the other hand, are those which form in the centre part of the lens. Finally, the posterior subcapsular cataract forms in the back of the lens.
5. They Can Cause Various Vision Problems
With the lens of their eyes being covered, individuals with cataracts see more than just cloudy or blurred vision.
Some may see brightly-coloured objects as faded, while some may not be able to tell specific colours at all. On top of that, some may have also become more sensitive to approaching headlights when driving. They may often see halos around lights, especially at night. These problems can greatly interfere with tasks and reduce enjoyment in daily activities.
Conclusion
There’s more to know about cataracts other than the fact that they are more common in older people. As mentioned earlier, it can affect people of different ages and cause unpreventable symptoms. The good news is that early detection, along with a healthy lifestyle, can help slow down and prevent blindness caused by this condition. Furthermore, getting cataract surgery is a tried and tested way to replace cloudy lenses and restore vision.
For a safe and effective cataract surgery in Langley, BC, look no further than Valley Laser Eye Centre! We are trusted by more than 500 referring eye doctors and use state-of-the-art technology to provide the best eye care treatments. Get in touch today to book a consultation.
