Cataract Symptoms to Look For
Cataract surgery is so common these days that if you haven’t had the surgery, you probably know someone who does.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens, and it’s the leading cause of blindness in the world, but unlike many eye diseases, vision loss due to a cataract can be restored.
Here in the United States, it’s far less a cause of blindness than it is just low vision. That’s because cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the United States.
The patient advocate group Prevent Blindness estimates the current number of people in the United States with cataracts will increase from more than 25.7 million to an estimated 38.5 million by 2032, and then to 45.6 million by the year 2050 – all because of our rapidly aging population – and long life span.
Prevent Blindness says half of all Americans will develop cataracts by age 80. While cataracts may be a sign of advanced age, it’s not just something that happens to seniors. More than 22 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts. No matter the age it’s important to know the risk factors, symptoms and treatment options.
Common risk factors for cataract, include
- Age (the risk increases as you get older)
- Intense heat or long-term exposure to UV rays from the sun
- Diabetes
- Inflammation in the eye
- Heredity
- Long-term steroid use
- Eye injuries
- Smoking
The list of symptoms of having a cataract is short, but noticeable. It includes cloudy or blurry vision, glare from light (Headlights, lamps, even sunlight all may feel too bright. You may even see a halo around lights), poor night vision, and even double vision. Colors may also seem faded.
The best way to protect your eyesight is to get a complete, dilated eye exam from an eye care professional and work with him or her on the best treatment options for you. The great thing about cataract surgery is it’s not just common but successful. Prevent Blindness notes that in approximately 90 percent of cases, people who have cataract surgery have improved vision following the procedure.
Also, most cataract surgery is usually covered by Medicare and health insurance–which is good news for seniors.
See the National Eye Institute's page on Facts About Cataract for more information.
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