Cataracts
What are cataracts?
Cataracts are a common eye condition that causes vision to
deteriorate in older people. A cataract is a cloudy area in the
normally clear part of your eye called the lens. Depending on how
big the cataract is and where it is, it can interfere with your
sight. This is because a cataract acts like frosted glass, causing
your vision to become blurred.
A cataract is the change to the natural lens in your eye.
Cataracts' growth is just like frying an egg… when we are young the
lens in our eye is clear - just like a raw egg white. But as
we age the lens gets cloudy - just like a cooked egg white. It's no
wonder it affects your vision. Cataracts are just part of
growing older, you can't do anything to prevent them, or to speed
up the process. Surgery is required for cataracts if they get bad
enough.
Cataracts usually form very slowly and develop in both eyes,
although one may be worse than the other.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of cataracts are:
- Blurry vision
- Colours that seem faded or washed out
- Increased sensitivity to glare from lights (e.g. sunlight or
car headlamps)
- Not being able to see well at night
- Frequent prescription changes to eyewear
Treatment
As we get older many aspects of our vision change, therefore, it
is important to make regular visits to your Visique optometrist.
Surgery to remove the cataract may be needed later, but until then
your Visique optometrist can monitor any changes in your vision and
help you to get the most out of your eyesight. It's easy for your
Visique optometrist to check for cataracts, it's always included in
your regular visit to us.
Video: Cataracts