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Cataracts

Cataracts are one of the most common eye complications in the world. A cataract develops when the normally clear lens in your eye becomes cloudy or foggy. For your vision to work, light must pass through the lens, which helps focus incoming light to create a clear image. When cataracts cloud your lens, your eye is unable to properly focus the light. This leads to blurry vision or other vision problems.

Who is at Risk?

About 1 in 6 people above the age of 40 will have started to develop cataracts. However, you are more at risk of developing cataracts if you:

  • Smoke

  • Drink alcohol frequently 

  • Have a family history of cataracts. 

  • Eye injury

What Causes Cataracts?

The lens in our eyes is made up of mostly water and protein. As we age, the proteins in our eyes will break down and slowly build up in our eyes. As we get older and older, these degraded proteins will accumulate into clumps and cloud your lens, reducing the transmission of light into the back of your eye, where light information gets converted into visual information. Some things may speed up the development of cataracts, such as:

  • Diabetes

  • Certain medications (Steroids, Phenothiazine)

  • Eye surgery or injury

  • Radiation treatment to the upper body

  • Spending time in the sun without eye protection. 

The development of Cataracts is a typical part of aging. 

What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

Cataracts can cause:

  • Vision that is cloudy, blurry or foggy

  • Sensitivity to bright lights

  • Glare around headlights when driving at night

  • Prescription changes in glasses, including sudden nearsightedness

  • Double vision 

  • Difficulty seeing in the dark or at night

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