Cataracts

Symptoms of cataracts

In the early stage of cataracts, you might not notice any symptoms. A foggy cloud over the lens may be the first thing you notice, as well as blurred vision. It can feel as if you’re wearing glasses that haven’t been cleaned.

Sunlight or artificial light may appear bright or glaring. Night vision deteriorates, and people with cataracts will find it challenging to cope with lights at night, and so prefer to avoid driving in the dark.

Cataract symptoms include:

Blurred or clouded vision
Less bright vision
Decreased vision at night
Sensitivity to light
Needing brighter lights to read and perform other tasks
“Halos” around your eyes
Frequent variations in eyesight
Fading of colours
Double vision
Difficulty seeing details from a distance or while reading

Causes of cataracts

Cataracts are the result of a loss of transparency of the crystalline lens. The eye lens constitutes a mixture of water and protein, and with age these proteins breakdown and become yellow.

Cataracts are generally associated with age, but it is possible for a cataract to form at any age. There are even cases of babies born with cataracts. In this case, these infants are said to have congenital cataracts. In younger people they can result from conditions such as diabetes, certain medications, and other eye problems.

Ageing is one common contributor to cataract development, but there are many other factors that can influence development, including:

Eye injuries or related surgery
Excessive exposure to UV sources, including excessive sunlight
Exposure to dangerous substances or radiation
Certain diseases, lifestyle choices and medications such as:

Chronic diseases (including diabetes, obesity, etc.)
Steroids
Smoking
Stress and hypertension
Genetic inheritance
High myopia

Types of cataract

Here are the different types of cataract.

Age-related (nuclear cataract or nuclear sclerotic cataract): Age-related cataracts are likely to appear and grow as we age. With nuclear cataracts you may observe improvement in your vision. However this is usually temporary and can worsen if the cataract progresses.
Congenital cataract: Cataracts can develop as a result of the inadequate development of babies in the womb.
Subcapsular cataract (secondary): Subcapsular cataracts can develop due to other medical conditions. Eyes that come into contact with toxic substances, UV rays, radiation and drugs used to treat chronic diseases (such as diabetes) are vulnerable to subcapsular cataracts.
Traumatic: A traumatic cataract is the result of an injury to the eye. It is always recommended to use specially designed eyewear when in contact with UV rays, gadgets and high-power tools that can cause injury to the eyes.
Bilateral cataract: When you have cataracts in both eyes.
Other kinds of cataract include cortical cataract and diabetic cataract.

Have regular eye tests

We recommend you have an eye test at least every two years. Your optician may recommend this is more frequent depending on whether you have any eye conditions.

During an eye test, you optician will be able to see if you have cataracts. The earlier it is detected, the more likely you’ll be able to treat it, or at least stop it from getting worse.

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