Causes of Cataract
The eye works much like a camera. Light rays focus through the lens onto the retina. The retina, which is similar to the film in a camera, by the takes a picture and sends it to the brain through the optic nerve. Over time, the lens in the eye can become cloudy and prevent light rays from passing clearly through it to get to the retina. This cloudy lens is called a cataract and can cause blurry or cloudy vision.
The most common cause of a cataract is aging, and it is estimated that 20.5 million Americans over the age of 40 are affected. Other causes include:
- Trauma
- Certain medications such as steroids
- Systemic diseases, including diabetes
- History of smoking
- Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light
- Congenital cataract
Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes, and glasses or contact lenses may not sharpen vision if a cataract is present. Once formed, the only cure for a cataract is surgical removal. Patients may reduce the risk for developing a cataract by limiting the amount of ultraviolet light exposure and wearing a wide-brim hat and sunglasses.
Cataract Symptoms
The typical symptom of cataract formation is a slow, progressive and painless decrease in vision. Other changes include:
- Cloudy or blurred vision
- Glare, particularly at night
- Frequent eyeglass prescription changes
- Decrease in color intensity
- Yellowing of images
- Double vision
Cataract Treatment
Early symptoms of cataracts can often be monitored without treatment, however, when vision loss from a cataract interferes with a patient’s lifestyle, surgical removal of the cataract is the only treatment.
Cataracts can impact not only your vision but your quality of life. If you suspect you have cataract symptoms and wish to schedule a cataract consultation, contact our offices today. Our team of cataract surgeons gives the Denver Metropolitan areas with the highest quality cataract treatments in this area that technology has to offer.
