Cataracts

Cataracts in the News:

High Incidence of Uncorrected Vision Problems Found In Americans Over 60 (08/06)

Are you and your Family UV Protected? (06/06)

Excess Body Fat May Elevate Risk of Vision Problems (01/06)

What are Cataracts?
Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Most people with cataracts have it in both eyes, although one eye may be worse than the other. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. Cataract is the most common age-related eye disease and cause of vision loss in older adults. They currently affect nearly 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older.

Signs and Symptoms:

changes in the way you see color
frequent changes in your eyeglass prescription
impaired vision at night, especially while driving, caused by effects of bright light
problems with glare from lamps or the sun
halos around lights
double vision
white spot or cloudy spot in the lens of the eye (the pupil, instead of being black appears milky or white)

Diagnosis:
Only an eyecare professional can accurately diagnose cataracts. Tests performed during a regular eye exam will allow your eye doctor to determine if you have cataracts. For more on the basics of eye exams, click here.

Causes/Risk Factors:

Increased age
Whole body diseases (including diabetes)
Smoking
High alcohol use
Excessive exposure to sunlight (particularly as a child/young adult)

Prevention: Comprehensive eye exams are the most important component to ensuring overall healthy vision. To find an eye doctor in your area, use our Doctor Locator to the left.

Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop cataracts.

Keeping your eyes protected from UV rays can help prevent cataracts. For more on UV protection, click here.

A healthy diet can help reduce the risk of some eye-related diseases. Here is some additional information on eating for vision.