Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss among people over age 55. They can make your vision appear fuzzy or blurry, as if you are looking through a fogged-up window. Cataracts can develop due to normal aging.Additionally, risk factors such asdiabetesandsmokingcan also predispose you to cataracts. Treatment can range from wearing stronger eyeglasses to surgical removal of the cataract, which may include replacement of thelens in your eye.
Types of Cataracts
Nuclear Sclerotic Cataracts
This is the most common type of age-related cataract, and it causes gradual yellow cloudiness and hardening of the nucleus of the lens. Changes in vision are usually gradual.
As anuclear sclerotic cataractdevelops, you may experience an improvement in your near vision before your vision deteriorates. Referred to as “second sight,” this stage is usually only temporary.
Cortical Cataracts
Diabetes is one of the leading risk factors for developing a cortical cataract. The cataract generally appears as a whitish, cloudy opacity in the cortex of the lens.
These cataracts often resemble wheel spokes, pointing toward the front and center of the lens. Light tends to scatter when it hits the spoke-like opacities.
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Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts (PSCs)
These cataracts form in the back of the lens and usually affect one eye more than the other. PSC is an opacity that develops on the back surface of the lens.
This type of cataract causes light sensitivity, blurred near vision, and glare and halos around lights. It is more common among people who have diabetes or who have taken steroids for extended periods of time.
The Eye Lens' Function and Structure
Cataract Symptoms
Cataracts can develop in one or both eyes. They are painless and don’t cause any changes in the appearance of your eyes. Vision is not usually affected early on when cataracts are small, but they usually worsen over time and can cause a gradual deterioration of sight.
The most common symptoms of cataracts include:
Often, the vision changes due to cataracts are gradual. You might need to have frequent changes in your eyewear prescription, which can be a clue that cataracts are developing.
Most older people develop some degree of lens clouding, which is a normal part of aging. However, if a cataract is left untreated, it can eventually lead to complete blindness.
A cataract affects the lens of the eye, a transparent structure that is mostly made up of water and protein fibers. The lens is responsible for focusing light and producing clear, sharp images.
The entire lens is contained within a lens capsule. As the eyes age, protein and dead cells accumulate there, forming a cataract and causing the lens to become cloudy. Early on, a cataract may be a small, opaque spot. Over time, it may grow larger and cloud a bigger portion of your lens, making it harder for you to see.
Risk Factors
The biggest risk factor for developing cataracts is aging. Other risk factors include:
Your healthcare provider can perform a number of vision tests and detailed eye examinations to help diagnose a cataract. Usually, anophthalmologistor an optometrist must do these tests for you because they have experience with visual assessment and some of the tests require special equipment.
Tests you may need if you have a possible cataract include:
When you have vision loss and cataracts, it is important to know that you could also have other conditions contributing to your vision loss in addition to your cataract.
All About Comprehensive Eye Exams
Cataracts that are small and do not have a major impact on vision generally do not require treatment. Wearing stronger corrective glasses, using artificial tears, tinting lenses to reduce glare, and using sunglasses can help with many of your symptoms.
Surgery is the only cure for cataracts, but getting diagnosed does not mean you immediately need such a procedure. Many people live with mild cataracts for years. However, if your cataract is causing substantial vision loss, there is no benefit to waiting before surgery. Advanced cataracts also carry a higher risk of complications during surgery.
Eye Drops
There are avariety of artificial tear eye dropson the market. Though they are not a treatment for cataracts, they can help relieve symptoms. Speak with your healthcare provider about which is most appropriate for you. Wait 15 minutes after using a prescription eye drop before using artificial tears.
You may have friends or family members who suggest Lanomax (lanosterol) eye drops as a treatment for your cataracts. This treatment is familiar to many people because it is used for the treatment of cataracts in some animals, but it is not approved for the treatment of cataracts in humans.
Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded lens and possibly replacing it with an artificial lens implant.
Cataract surgery is usually performed on one eye at a time. This is done to minimize potential complications. It is usually an out-patient procedure, and you should expect to go home on the same day.
There are a few types of cataract surgery, and the best procedure for you depends on the size and location of your cataract.
How It’s Done
While there are variations depending on the type of cataract surgery being performed, here’s what you can generally expect:Before your surgery, you may be given a mild sedative and you will have eye drops placed in your eye to dilate your pupil. The skin around your eye and eyelid will be cleaned and sterilized. A sterile drape will be placed over your head and around your eye. Anesthetic eye drops are then applied.
Tiny incisions will be made in the peripheral part of your cornea, the clear dome-like structure on the front part of your eye. Next, the capsule will be opened. A small ultrasonic probe will be inserted into your eye. This probe will dissolve the cataract and the remaining material will be suctioned out.
If planned for, a new, clear lens implant can then be inserted into your eye through the same small incision and positioned into place.
After cataract surgery, your healthcare provider may place an antibiotic ointment directly in your eye to prevent infection.
Recovery
It is OK to read, write, or watch television right after your surgery, but you should wear sunglasses for the first few weeks when you are exposed to light, even indoors.
Most people have some inflammation after cataract surgery, which can make your eye feel slightly gritty or scratchy for the first few days. Your vision may be blurry due to the inflammation, pupil dilation, and antibiotic ointment.
You will be given a prescription and instructions for eye drops to use for the next couple of weeks after surgery. These eye drops are used to prevent infection and to manage inflammation.
You should avoid touching and rubbing your eye. You’ll be instructed to wear an eye patch your first night after surgery to protect your eye. You should avoid bending over and lifting heavy objects for the first week or two following surgery.
Your healthcare provider will most likely ask you to come in for several follow-up visits to monitor your recovery. After your first post-operative visit, you may be advised to wear a night guard patch for the next several nights.
Possible Complications
Cataract surgery is a safe procedure with very few complications. However, as with any surgery, post-operative problems may develop.
Complications to look out for include:
There are no specific medications or therapies used for cataract prevention, but several strategies can reduce your risk.
Controlling your diabetes, not smoking, and wearing sunglasses can help prevent cataracts from developing or from worsening if you already have them.
Consumingantioxidantsand omega-3 fatty acids is associated with alower risk of cataracts. This may be related to the actions of these dietary components, which neutralize harmful substances in the body.
Choosing Sunglasses to Prevent Cataracts
A Word From Verywell
If you have blurry vision, it is important to schedule a comprehensive eye examination to determine the cause. Cataracts may be causing your vision problems, but other eye diseases can cause clouded vision as well. Your eye doctor will perform several diagnostic tests to check the overall health of your eyes. Many eye problems can be prevented or corrected if detected early.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common Eye Disorders.American Optometric Association.Cataract.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What Are Cataracts?Gupta VB, Rajagopala M, Ravishankar B.Etiopathogenesis of cataract: an appraisal.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2014;62(2):103-110. doi:10.4103/0301-4738.121141American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cataract Diagnosis and Treatment.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What can I use for my red, itchy eyes after cataract surgery?American Optometric Association.Cataract Surgery.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Early Intracapsular Cataract Extraction.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Traditional Cataract Surgery vs. Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery.Stein JD.Serious adverse events after cataract surgery.Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2012;23(3):219-225. doi:10.1097/ICU.0b013e3283524068Weikel KA, Garber C, Baburins A, Taylor A.Nutritional modulation of cataract.Nutr Rev. 2014;72(1):30-47. doi:10.1111/nure.12077
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common Eye Disorders.American Optometric Association.Cataract.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What Are Cataracts?Gupta VB, Rajagopala M, Ravishankar B.Etiopathogenesis of cataract: an appraisal.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2014;62(2):103-110. doi:10.4103/0301-4738.121141American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cataract Diagnosis and Treatment.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What can I use for my red, itchy eyes after cataract surgery?American Optometric Association.Cataract Surgery.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Early Intracapsular Cataract Extraction.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Traditional Cataract Surgery vs. Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery.Stein JD.Serious adverse events after cataract surgery.Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2012;23(3):219-225. doi:10.1097/ICU.0b013e3283524068Weikel KA, Garber C, Baburins A, Taylor A.Nutritional modulation of cataract.Nutr Rev. 2014;72(1):30-47. doi:10.1111/nure.12077
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common Eye Disorders.American Optometric Association.Cataract.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What Are Cataracts?Gupta VB, Rajagopala M, Ravishankar B.Etiopathogenesis of cataract: an appraisal.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2014;62(2):103-110. doi:10.4103/0301-4738.121141American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cataract Diagnosis and Treatment.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What can I use for my red, itchy eyes after cataract surgery?American Optometric Association.Cataract Surgery.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Early Intracapsular Cataract Extraction.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Traditional Cataract Surgery vs. Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery.Stein JD.Serious adverse events after cataract surgery.Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2012;23(3):219-225. doi:10.1097/ICU.0b013e3283524068Weikel KA, Garber C, Baburins A, Taylor A.Nutritional modulation of cataract.Nutr Rev. 2014;72(1):30-47. doi:10.1111/nure.12077
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common Eye Disorders.
American Optometric Association.Cataract.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What Are Cataracts?
Gupta VB, Rajagopala M, Ravishankar B.Etiopathogenesis of cataract: an appraisal.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2014;62(2):103-110. doi:10.4103/0301-4738.121141
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cataract Diagnosis and Treatment.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What can I use for my red, itchy eyes after cataract surgery?
American Optometric Association.Cataract Surgery.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Early Intracapsular Cataract Extraction.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Traditional Cataract Surgery vs. Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery.
Stein JD.Serious adverse events after cataract surgery.Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2012;23(3):219-225. doi:10.1097/ICU.0b013e3283524068
Weikel KA, Garber C, Baburins A, Taylor A.Nutritional modulation of cataract.Nutr Rev. 2014;72(1):30-47. doi:10.1111/nure.12077
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