Cataracts – Symptoms and Causes
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts occur when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy. This clouding makes vision blurry, similar to looking through a foggy window.
People with cataracts may have trouble with everyday activities like reading, driving at night, or seeing faces clearly.
Most cataracts develop gradually. In the early stages, you might not notice any vision problems. As time passes, the clouding gets worse and begins to affect your sight.
Early treatment options include:
- Using brighter lighting
- Wearing updated prescription glasses
- Magnifying lenses for reading
When these simple solutions no longer help and vision problems interfere with daily life, surgery may be necessary. Cataract surgery is usually safe and effective, replacing a clouded lens with an artificial one to improve vision.
Signs of Cataracts
Cataracts cause several vision changes that often develop slowly over time. You might notice your vision becoming cloudy or blurry.
Many people find it harder to see at night.
Light sensitivity is another common problem. You may need brighter lighting to read or do everyday tasks. Some people see rings or “halos” around lights.
Your eyeglass prescription might change more often than before. Colors may appear faded or have a yellowish tint. Double vision in one eye can also occur.
Early cataracts might affect only a small part of your eye lens, causing few noticeable symptoms. As the cataract grows larger, it blocks more light from properly reaching your retina, making symptoms more obvious.
When to Get Medical Help
Contact your eye doctor if you notice any changes in your vision. Schedule a regular eye exam to catch problems early.
Don’t wait to seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden vision changes like double vision, flashes of light, eye pain, or unexpected headaches. These symptoms could signal a serious condition that needs prompt treatment.
What Causes Cataracts
Cataracts happen when the lens in your eye becomes cloudy. The lens sits behind the iris, which is the colored part of your eye.
When working well, your lens focuses light to create clear images on your retina at the back of your eye.
As you get older, your lenses change. They become thicker, less clear, and less flexible. Proteins and fibers inside the lens start to break down and clump together. These clumps create cloudy areas in the lens.
This cloud blocks and scatters light trying to pass through your lens. Instead of a sharp image reaching your retina, the image becomes blurry. The cloudiness usually gets worse over time as the cataract grows.
Most people develop cataracts in both eyes. However, they often grow at different rates, causing one eye to have worse vision than the other.
Types of Cataracts
Different types of cataracts affect different parts of the lens:
Nuclear Cataracts
- Form in the center (nucleus) of the lens
- May temporarily improve close-up vision at first
- Eventually cause yellowing or browning of the lens
- Make it harder to see distant objects
- Can make it difficult to tell colors apart
Cortical Cataracts
- Begin as white, wedge-shaped spots on the outer edge of the lens
- Slowly spread toward the center of the lens
- Interfere with light passing through the lens
- Create problems with glare and contrast
Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts
- Start as a small spot near the back of the lens
- Directly block light passing through
- Often affects reading vision
- Cause problems in bright light
- Create halos or glare around lights at night
- Tend to grow faster than other types
Congenital Cataracts
- Present at birth or develop during childhood
- May be inherited from parents
- Can be associated with:
- Infections during pregnancy
- Trauma in the womb
- Certain conditions like galactosemia
- Genetic disorders such as neurofibromatosis type 2
- Don’t always affect vision
- Are usually removed soon after discovery if they affect sight
Besides age, cataracts can develop from:
- Eye injuries
- Previous eye surgery
- Medical conditions like diabetes
- Long-term use of steroid medications
- Inherited disorders
- Other eye conditions
Risk Factors
Several things can raise your chances of getting cataracts:
- The older you get, the higher your risk
- Health conditions like diabetes and obesity
- Lifestyle choices include smoking and heavy alcohol use
- Sun exposure without proper eye protection
- Family history of cataracts
- Eye problems such as past injuries, inflammation, or surgery
- Long-term use of a medication like corticosteroids
Prevention
While no methods have been proven to fully prevent cataracts, several strategies may help reduce your risk or slow their development.
Eye Examinations
Regular eye checkups allow for early detection of cataracts and other vision problems. Ask your doctor about the appropriate frequency for your eye exams based on your age and risk factors.
Lifestyle Changes
- Stop smoking. Tobacco use is linked to increased cataract risk. Speak with healthcare providers about smoking cessation programs, medications, and support groups that can help you quit.
- Limit alcohol consumption. Excessive drinking may raise your chances of developing cataracts, so moderation is key.
- Protect your eyes from UV radiation. Wear quality sunglasses that block UVB rays when outdoors to reduce sun damage to your eyes.
Health Management
Control existing health conditions. If you have diabetes or other medical conditions that increase cataract risk, follow your treatment plan carefully.
Nutrition
Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides important antioxidants that support eye health.
While antioxidant supplements haven’t been proven to prevent cataracts, research indicates that nutritious diets may lower risk.
Beneficial foods include:
- Dark leafy greens
- Colorful fruits
- Nuts and seeds
- Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids
Many eye doctors recommend these preventive measures even though research is still ongoing.
