Info about Cataracts
Cataracts
Cataracts are clouding of the eye lens that causes blurry vision. Age is the main contributing factor for cataracts. Cataracts are a very common condition. By the time most people are 80 they either have cataracts or they have had surgery to remove them. You can have cataracts in one or both eyes, but they do not spread from one eye to the other. Cataracts are not contagious.
The lens is the part of the eye that focuses light on the retina, which is tissue at the back of the eye that is sensitive to light. If your eye is healthy, light passes through clear lenses to the retina. After it is focused on the retina, it becomes nerve signals and goes to the brain. Cataracts cloud the lens and do not allow images to focus correctly. If you have cataracts your vision will be blurry.
The lens not only focuses the light on the retina, but it also adjusts the focusing of the eye so that we can see things clearly regardless if they are near or far away. The lens consists mainly of protein and water. The protein is placed in a specific way that lets the lens remain clear so that light can penetrate. As people age, the protein can sometimes stick together and cloud part of the lens. This clouding is known as a cataract. The cataract can get bigger as time passes.
According to research there are several causes of cataracts. Two of the main causes are believed to be smoking and diabetes. However, the protein in the lens may just begin to clump because of the natural aging process with the passage of time.
It might help the eyes to avoid cataracts if you wear sunglasses or a hat that will filter the ultraviolet rays from the sun. Don’t smoke. Researchers also think that a healthy diet can slow cataracts that are caused from aging. You diet should include lots of fruit, leafy, green vegetables and other foods that are rich in antioxidants.
It is important for people over 60 to have a complete eye exam every two years. Your optician will check for cataracts along with other eye conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. As with any other medical condition it is much easier to cure if it is caught early.
There are some new eyeglasses the may help improve your vision if you have cataracts. You might also try sunglasses that prevent glare, reading glasses, and brighter lighting. If none of these help, the only alternative to save your eyesight is surgery. If you have to have surgery, your eye doctor will take out the clouded lens and replace it with a new artificial one.
If your vision loss from your cataract does not interfere with your daily activities like reading, driving, or watching TV, then you should not have surgery. You will need to consult with your eye doctor to make the appropriate decision. He will tell you all of the risks and the benefits of surgery. You will then have the information you need to make the best decision that is right for you. Your vision will not be worsened by holding off on having surgery