Cataracts are a normal part of aging, as normal as wrinkles really!
What is it?
Cataracts are a progressive clouding of the lens inside the eye, and they can form in one or both eyes.
The lens in the eye sits behind the iris and helps to focus the light rays entering the eye to create clear images on the back of the eye, like the lens of a camera.
The formation of cataracts prevents a clear image from forming on the retina.
How common is it?
In most cases, the development of cataracts is a normal age-related change to the eye. According to Beyond Cataracts, 90% of people over the age of 65 have the beginnings of cataracts. Additionally, according to a recent publication in the Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology Journal, the number of Australians with cataracts will grow by two-thirds during the next 20 years.
Symptoms
The onset of cataract symptoms is typically gradual; many people are told they have the beginnings of a cataract during a routine eye examination before they even notice any changes to their vision. Cataracts form when proteins in the lens become damaged or break down, and this clouding may scatter or limit the light that can reach the retina. This causes vision to become cloudy or blurry, and colours may become faded.
Symptoms of cataracts can include:
- Blurry or cloudy vision.
- A decline in the ability to distinguish objects of similar contrast from one another.
- Seeing a yellowing or brown tinge.
- Distorted vision.
- Faded colours.
- Sensitivity to light or glare.
- Poor night vision.
- Halos around lights.
- Needing more light for reading.
- Seeing double through one eye.
Most people will describe it as looking through a dirty window or lens. Some people may also experience an improvement in vision when first developing a cataract, especially if they are long sighted (hypermetropia) or wear glasses to read (presbyopia). However, as the cataract develops, a reduction in vision will occur.
Causes and risk factors
Although the exact cause of cataracts is still unknown, there are risk factors contributing to the formation of cataracts, including:
- Age.
- Smoking.
- A family history of cataracts.
- Exposure to the sun and harmful ultraviolet light.
- Past eye trauma such as injury or eye surgery.
In some cases, cataracts may be caused by other things like medications, congenital conditions (present at birth), or systemic conditions like diabetes.
Reducing the risk
Although there have been no evidence-based ways to prevent, slow down, or reduce the risk of cataracts forming, there are some thoughts around strategies that might be helpful:
- Regular eye tests to maintain your eye health and to detect any potential problems early.
- Do not smoke.
- Wear sunglasses to limit exposure to UVA and UVB rays.
- Manage any other systemic medical conditions and follow your prescribed treatment plan, for example, in the case of diabetes.
- Eating a nutrient-rich diet with lots of dark leafy greens, yellow fruits and vegetables, and healthy omega-3 fats which can be found in fish or walnuts.
Diagnosis
Your eye care professional can easily tell if you have cataracts through a series of simple, non-invasive tests. Both your optometrist and ophthalmologist can perform these tests. Your eye care professional will conduct an examination of your eyes which may include:
- Checking your visual acuity, which is your ability to see at different distances. This can include recognising letters at varying distances.
- Checking your retina at the back of your eye with an Ophthalmoscope by shining a light into your eye and looking through different lenses.
- Using an Optical Coherence Tomography scan (OCT) which creates a 3D cross section image to see the layers in the retina, or taking a digital colour photo of the retina.
- Checking the lens, surface of your eye, and other structures within the eye with a microscope called a slit lamp.
- Measuring the pressure in your eyes.
Treatment
In the initial stages of cataract development, your vision is still likely to be quite good and your eye care professional can give you tips on optimising your vision.
If your cataracts progress to a level where your vision is no longer adequate for your needs, you may consider cataract surgery with an ophthalmologist. Cataract surgery is typically a quick, uncomplicated day procedure. The ophthalmologist will remove the natural lens inside the eye and replace it with an artificial lens called an Intraocular lens (IOL). There are many types of IOLs, and your ophthalmologist will recommend an IOL which best meets your needs.
For more information
Always speak to your GP and eyecare professional about the best treatment options for you.
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