What are Cataracts?

Definition of Cataracts: A clouding of the lens in the eye. Most cataracts are related to getting older, but a handful of health conditions can also cause cataracts. By age 80, more than half of Americans have been affected by cataracts. Below is a brief overview of the causes, symptoms and treatments, plus links to more information.

What Causes Cataracts? A cataract forms when proteins in the lens move out of their arranged position and clump together. Age-related changes to the lens can cause cataracts. Diabetes, smoking, and prolonged exposure to sunlight increase a person's risk of developing cataracts.

Are Cataracts Contagious? No.

Signs & Symptoms:

• Cloudy vision.
• Blurry vision.
• A sensitivity to glare from lights or daylight.
• Poor night vision.
• Double vision in a single eye.

Treatment & Remedies: Keep your glasses prescription current, keep your home well lit and wear sunglasses in sunlight. Surgery is the only medical treatment for cataract symptoms if home remedies fail. A surgeon can remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a plastic artificial lens.

More Facts:

• Up to 90 percent of people who undergo cataract surgery have better vision afterward.
• Cataract surgery increases a person's risk for retinal detachment.
• A person cannot feel the artificial lens after surgery.

Sources and More Information:

Cataracts: Details from MyHealthNewsDaily

Related Information from the Mayo Clinic

Related Information from the National Eye Institute

This information is not meant to provide specific medical advice. It is for educational purposes only. We recommend you consult a qualified health care professional for diagnoses and treatment advice, and call 9-1-1 in emergencies.