We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Cataracts?

By S. Mithra
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 55,144
References
Share

Cataracts develop in the sensitive lens of your eye as opaque clumps of tissue. Since the lens focuses light into crisp images, just like a camera lens, this causes a particular loss of vision. Symptoms include dimness, selective blurriness, night blindness, double vision, yellowish or grey colors, or blocked regions of view. Cataracts form in old age, or can accompany other diseases such as diabetes. When diagnosed early, they are surgically removed with a high rate of success.

Light enters our eye through the pupil, travels through the lens, and lands on our retina in a focused, clear, colored picture. The lens is susceptible to accumulating lumpy strands of protein as we age. This collection interferes with exact focus and color in an image. Although cataracts are not a cloud, growth, or infection, they can still be compared to smearing oil on a camera lens. Looking through the camera, you would see blurred, obstructed, or shaded sections in your field of view because the grime has scattered the light.

Although the risk for this condition is extremely high in those individuals aged above 50, they are not the first stage in total blindness in both eyes. These growths can seriously compromise common activities, like reading, driving at night, watching television, or even walking in unfamiliar territory, but they do not always get progressively worse until you cannot see at all. Accurate diagnosis by an ophthalmologist can separate your vision problems from diseases of the retina, optic nerve, cornea, or brain that might be caused by unrelated eye conditions like macular degeneration or glaucoma. Consult your physician at the first sign of vision loss.

Since 70% of people older than 75 have at least one cataract, early diagnosis is the most important part of the healing process. Mild cases can be temporarily treated with a different eyeglass prescription, or simple lifestyle changes such as only driving during the day or using a brighter light to read. A permanent solution is cataract surgery under local anesthetic. While you should discuss the risks of surgery with your health care provider, this common procedure has a 95% success rate. Make sure to visit your eye doctor every 1-3 years, once you get above the age of 50, to catch problems sooner rather than later.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
By John57 — On Jun 10, 2011

My father has had cataract surgery, and my mother is scheduled to have one soon. The surgery itself does not take long at all - you are in and out of there before you hardly know what is going on.

There is some post-op care that you need to follow, and thankfully my Dad has not had any cataract surgery complications. I know some people who have had some complications after the surgery, but most of the time you just need to follow their instructions, and you will be fine.

By bagley79 — On Jun 09, 2011

Cataract surgery is very common and hundreds are done every day. A good friend of mine has had a cataract operation on each eye. With one eye, she has had more than one surgery.

After having radiation for cancer, she noticed big changes in her eyesight and when she went to the doctor he told her she had cataracts. She was surprised because she was not that old, but he said that the radiation probably was the cause she developed them so early.

By hamimi — On Feb 15, 2009

Dear Madam dear Sir,

My son is 16 years old. He can't see at night. He is wearing glasses in the day (short-seeing).

Can I get advice? Whether his case could be treated

Thanks-Saeed Al-Hamimi

Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-are-cataracts.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.