{"id":6334,"date":"2024-03-26T22:46:52","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T03:46:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/?p=6334"},"modified":"2024-03-26T23:03:32","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T04:03:32","slug":"all-about-cataracts-symptoms-causes-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/all-about-cataracts-symptoms-causes-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"All About Cataracts: Symptoms, Causes, &#038; Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The eye's lens is a transparent, curved structure behind the pupil. When the lens becomes cloudy, we call it a cataract. The development of a cataract is progressive, so what starts out as slightly blurry, cloudy, or diminished vision can lead to complete blindness over time without treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cataracts are quite common in the senior population, and nearly 50% of all adults 80 and over have some degree of cataract development. However, genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors also play a role in whether a person develops cataracts, which is why we take a proactive approach to eye care. Fortunately, most cataracts can be treated, but early detection is essential.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms &amp; Causes Of Cataracts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you ever noticed that someone\u2019s pupils look a bit cloudy, almost like there is a pale blue or gray film over it? You may have seen this same type of cloudy film on the pupil of an older dog. That opacity is also due to cataract growth and a sign that your beloved companion can\u2019t see like they used to - or may be completely blind.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms Of Cataract Growth:<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cataracts are easily caught <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/how-often-should-i-schedule-an-eye-exam\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">during an annual eye exam<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> unless they are very fast-growing. Some of the most common causes of cataracts are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cloudy or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/eye-health\/why-is-my-vision-blurry\">blurry vision<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Faded colors or a loss of vibrancy in the world around you. People with cataracts say things appear faded, yellowed, or more like sepia-toned images.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deteriorating vision during dusk and dark hours.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Light sensitivity (lamps, overhead lights, and headlights may seem far brighter than they used to.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seeing halos around lights (which may also signify other vision issues, such as astigmatism).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Double vision (which usually disappears as cataracts worsen).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in lens prescriptions over a faster period.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Most Common Causes Of Cataracts<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Age-related cataracts<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The vast majority of cataracts grow due to age-related changes in our eyes and bodies. Most people 50+ have some degree of lens cloudiness, even if it never continues developing into cataracts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, people only develop cataracts in one eye. Others may have cataracts in both eyes at the same time. Or, one eye may develop a cataract faster than the other. Regardless, cataracts are not contagious and don\u2019t \u201cspread\u201d from eye to eye.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glaucoma<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like cataracts, glaucoma is another leading cause of vision loss, especially in the 60+ population. While glaucoma does not cause cataracts, the treatments used to slow down its progression may put you at higher risk for developing cataracts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eye injuries<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eye injuries make the eyes more prone to developing cataracts. This is why it\u2019s so important to wear proper eye protection when playing sports, working outside, in work environments that put the eyes at risk, and so on. If you experience anything more than <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/minor-eye-trauma-examples-and-treatment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">minor eye trauma<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, schedule an appointment with your optometrist to ensure you\u2019ve received proper treatment and that your eyes are healing as they should.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>NOTE<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: If you or your child plays sports, or you have a job requiring safety glasses, talk to us about ordering prescriptive protective lenses so you don\u2019t have to sacrifice vision for safety - and vice versa.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sun damage<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sun damage is one of the most common types of eye injury, accumulating over a lifetime. People who spend lots of time out in the sun, without <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/the-effects-of-uv-rays-on-your-eyes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">proper sun protection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0(hats, UV-blocking sunglasses or safety glasses, etc.) have a higher risk factor for developing cataracts, and for their cataracts to be more severe.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetes<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several medical conditions increase the risk of developing cataracts, but diabetes is at the top of that list. People who have type 2 diabetes almost always experience cataract-related vision loss, along with diabetic retinopathy. If you have diabetes - or pre-diabetes - it\u2019s essential that you manage the disease to the best of your ability. We typically like to see patients with diabetes at least twice per year to maintain a proactive approach to their vision health.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additional Risk Factors For Developing Cataracts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are other risk factors associated with developing cataracts, which include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>A family history of <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/six-causes-of-sudden-vision-loss\/\"><b>cataracts and vision loss<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> Genetics is a powerful force when it comes to physical well-being and vision. If your close family members have cataracts, speak to your optometrist. We may determine that bi-annual exams are best for you.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Smoking<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> People who smoke are twice as likely to develop cataracts (and they\u2019re twice as likely to develop age-related macular degeneration or AMD).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Drinking too much alcohol.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Similarly, people who drink three or more alcoholic beverages per day have higher rates of cataract growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Steroid use.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> While using steroids to bulk up increases your risk of cataracts, so does the long-term use of steroids to treat medical conditions, allergies\/respiratory issues, and so on. This is why it\u2019s so important to let your optometrist know what <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/schedule-eye-exams-to-monitor-effects-of-high-risk-meds\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medications you\u2019re on<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> so we know to keep a closer eye on you if a medication is known to increase the risk of vision loss.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treating Cataracts Begins With Healthy Lifestyle Choices<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A quick review of the risk factors and common causes of cataracts is evidence of how <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/healthy-lifestyle-choices-for-eye-health\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lifestyle choices matter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Making smart, disciplined choices about diet, exercise, and sleep habits\u2014and minimizing excessive use of tobacco or alcohol products - prevents the onset of health conditions most likely to cause cataracts. If you develop cataracts, healthy lifestyle choices slow down cataract growth and support the success of cataract treatments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We use the least invasive treatments first, so the most common treatments for cataracts are:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focus on slowing down the development of cataracts<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first thing you can do is take a proactive approach to prevent cataracts from worsening or slowing down their progression. This includes things like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and making any lifestyle changes you know will improve overall health.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Managing existing health conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diligently <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/protect-your-eyes-from-the-sun\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">protecting your eyes from further sun damage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping up with eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions to optimize existing vision.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increase the use of warm lights for task lighting or when reading to minimize eye strain and support remaining vision.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speak to your optometrist about cataract surgery<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cataract surgery has come so far in the past thirty years. While we hesitate to call any surgery \u201croutine,\u201d cataract surgery has a very high success rate with minimal risk involved. During the surgery, the ophthalmologist removes your cloudy natural lens and replaces it with a synthetic intraocular lens (IOL).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over time, people with IOLs may notice their vision is cloudy again. This usually occurs because the part of the eye that holds the lens (the lens capsule) becomes cloudy. If this happens, your surgeon can schedule you for laser surgery to open and clear the capsule, restoring vision again.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eye-To-Eye Family Vision Care Takes A Proactive Approach To Cataract Prevention &amp; Treatment<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Has your vision become cloudier than normal, making you suspect a cataract? <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schedule an appointment with Eye to Eye Family Vision Care.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> We take a proactive approach to cataract prevention and treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The eye's lens is a transparent, curved structure behind the pupil. When the lens becomes cloudy, we call it a cataract. The development of a cataract is progressive, so what starts out as slightly blurry, cloudy, or diminished vision can lead to complete blindness over time without treatment. Cataracts are quite common in the senior [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6338,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"All About Cataracts: Symptoms, Causes, &amp; Treatment | Eye To Eye","_seopress_titles_desc":"Learn all about cataracts and how they are a leading cause of vision loss, especially in adults 65 years and older. Their cause, risk factors, and treating them.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6334"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6334"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6334\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6340,"href":"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6334\/revisions\/6340"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6338"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6334"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6334"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyetoeyefamilyvisioncare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6334"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}