Cataracts: The Causes And Symptoms

A cataract is a term used to describe a condition in which normally clear eye lens becomes cloudy, causing blurry vision similar to looking through a foggy window. Cloudy vision is quite dangerous, as it may cause difficulty reading and driving, especially at night. As cataracts are slow forming, they might not cause any problems at first, but over time, they will cause vision problems. Eyeglasses and better lighting may help improve symptoms of cataracts; however, surgery may eventually be required if the clouding becomes worse.

Start reading now to learn about the different causes, risk factors, and symptoms of cataracts.

Risk Factors

Many risk factors associated with an increased danger of developing cataracts are environmental, meaning they are due to lifestyle habits or conditions that can be improved to reduce the chance of developing the disease. Examples include overexposure to sunlight, obesity, diabetes, smoking, aging, previous eye disorders or surgeries, high blood pressure, alcoholism, and prolonged use of corticosteroid medications. Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep, and wearing sun protection may help reduce the risk of developing cataracts.

Although cataracts can affect anyone at any age, they are most common in older individuals. Research indicates over forty percent of individuals in the United States aged seventy-five years and older may have some form of clouding eye lens. By age eighty, over half of all Americans will experience problems with their vision due to cataracts. Nuclear cataracts are more likely to develop in airline pilots as they are exposed to ionizing radiation, and this risk also increases as the pilots age, since they are spending more time exposed to their risk factor.

Next, discover the various causes of this eye condition.