It's June, which means it's Cataract Awareness Month. Are you aware that cataracts are the most commonly occurring cause of loss of vision among adults aged 55 and older? Actually, more than 50% of all North Americans who are 65 and older have at the very least, partial cataract development. As stated by the National Eye Institute, by the time they hit 80, more than 50 percent of all Americans will either have a cataract or had cataract surgery.
So what exactly is a cataract? A cataract is like a veil in front of the lens, which blocks or distorts the how light enters into the eye. In the interior part of the eye, the lens is contained in a sort of sac or capsule. When old cells break down, they get trapped within the capsule. After some time, more cells follow suit and accumulate, and this causes the lens to get cloudy, leading to eyesight that is blurry. Cataracts are an expected result of older age. Other potential risk factors for developing a cataract include being overweight, diabetes, high blood pressure, family medical history, inflamed eyes, ongoing steroid use, eye injuries and smoking.
In the early phases of cataract development, stronger lights and eyeglasses can be used to minimize the vision problems you might be having. At some point, however, surgery may be the solution to rectify your vision. More than 90% of sufferers who have cataract surgery reacquire excellent vision.
If you are in your sixties and perceiving cloudy eyesight, it's time to discuss cataracts with your eye care professional. Cataracts are treatable, and we know you want to have total visibility throughout your golden years.
