If you are over 55 and your vision has become blurry or cloudy, you may have cataracts. While cataracts are a common condition in older adults, they can occur at different times in each of our lives. While the condition is often discussed, many people are a bit unclear about exactly what cataracts are. This page will help you understand cataracts.
What are Cataracts?
Inside our eyes are natural lenses that bend light rays to help us see. The lens in our eye is clear. It focuses light on the retina, the light-sensitive tissue on the back of our eye. When our lenses are clear, light can pass through easily and be refracted into nerve signals that are then sent to our brain so we can see.
As the lens becomes cloudy, the light cannot pass through as easily, so the retina does not receive a sharp image. A cataract is the progressive clouding of the lens in either one or both eyes, which, over an extended period of time, can cause blindness.
Causes of Cataracts
Now that you have a better understanding of cataracts, it is important to understand what causes cataracts. Remember that the eye’s lens helps to focus light so that an image can be recorded on the retina and sent to the brain.
The lens is made mainly of water and protein. The protein is arranged so that it keeps the lens clear and allows light to pass through. As we get older, the protein can begin to bunch together, forming a cloudy spot on the lens. The more protein that bunches up, the cloudier the lens becomes. Cataracts are simply bundles of proteins that cause cloudiness in the eye’s lens.
Cataracts and Aging
More than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery by age 80. While most cataracts are associated with aging, you do not have to be a senior citizen for a cataract to form. Some people develop age-related cataracts during middle age, but these are generally small and rarely affect vision. After age 60, the protein clumps become larger and obstruct more of the lens, thus leading to vision problems. While cataracts are prevalent in older adults, age is not the only cause of cataracts.
Risk Factors for Cataracts
As you explore what cataracts are, it is also important to know the risk factors associated with cataracts. While aging is the number one risk factor due to the breakdown of protein, other factors that cause the lens to cloud include:
- Other family members with cataracts
- Medical problems such as diabetes
- Smoking
- Alcohol Use
- Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet sunlight
- Previous eye injuries
- Radiation to your upper body
- Certain medications, such as corticosteroids
Now that you better understand what cataracts are, it is vital to seek treatment if you are experiencing blurry or cloudy vision. While doctors cannot predict when a cataract will develop, having a regular vision exam can help prevent future complications. The good news is that cataracts can be treated.
Book your Appointment with a Cataract Specialist Today
If you suspect that you may have a cataract, contact the office of Leonard-Bennett Optometry (formerly Dr. Barry Leonard & Associates). As one of the best Optometrists in the San Fernando Valley, our staff will help you find the best time in your busy schedule to make an appointment. Call 818-891-6711 now or schedule an appointment online today.