When a person's vision gets cloudy, many times they have developed cataracts – a clumping of the protein in the eye. Normally, the protein allows light to pass through the eye's lens and focus on the retina. When this protein sticks together, it causes part of the lens to get cloudy and block the light from reaching the retina. Over time, a cataract can grow and make vision dull and blurry. While you can develop cataracts in both eyes, a cataract cannot spread from one eye to another. Currently, doctors do not know for certain what causes cataracts to form. The most common type of cataract is related to age. In fact, more than half of Americans age 65 and older have a cataract. Researchers also think several factors may lead to cataracts, including diabetes, smoking, steroid use and excessive exposure to sunlight.
Common Symptoms of Cataracts
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Problems with light – light seems too bright or has a halo around it
- Colors seem faded
- Poor night vision
- Double or multiple vision
- Frequent changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses
Types of Cataracts
Age-related cataract: The majority of cataracts fall in this category
Congenital cataract: Some babies are born with cataracts or develop them in childhood, often in both eyes. While they may not affect vision, if they do, they may need to be removed.
Secondary cataract: Cataracts are more likely to develop in people who have certain other health problems, such as diabetes.
Traumatic cataract: Cataracts can develop soon after an eye injury or years later.
Treatment
Cataract removal is an extremely common operation, along with being one of the safest and most effective. About 90% of people who have cataract surgery see an improvement in their vision. Eye doctors use one of two main methods of removing cataracts:
- Phacoemulsification (Phaco): Your doctor makes a small incision on the side of the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. The doctor then inserts a tiny probe into the eye. This device emits ultrasound waves that soften and break up the cloudy center of the lens so it can be removed by suction. Most cataract surgery today is done by phaco, which is also called small incision cataract surgery.
- Extracapsular Surgery.: Your doctor makes a slightly longer incision on the side of the cornea and removes the hard center of the lens. The remainder of the lens is then removed by suction.
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