THE DEVELOPMENT OF CATARACTS—or clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye—is a very common byproduct of the aging process. In fact, according to the National Eye Institute, more than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to get rid of them.
As with many health conditions, cataracts in the earliest stage often cause no obvious signs, but as they progress, affected individuals will typically begin to notice symptoms such as cloudy, blurred, or dim vision; fading or yellowing of bright colors; greater light sensitivity; diminished night vision; the need for brighter light for reading and similar activities; frequent changes in their corrective lens prescription; a halo effect around light sources; and doubling, or “ghosting,” of images.
Most cases of cataracts are age-related and develop as the normal proteins in the lens begin to break down and clump together. A normal, healthy lens is transparent, allowing light to pass through unimpeded. The job of the lens is to focus light on the retina at the back of the eye to produce clear images of subjects both up close and far away. However, as those protein clumps gradually become bigger and thicker, vision starts to suffer, eventually impacting the individual’s quality of life to a significant degree.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) also identifies the following behaviors and health conditions as risk factors for cataracts:
• Having a family history of cataracts
• Smoking
• Spending too much time in the sun without sunglasses
• Having certain medical problems, such as diabetes
• Having had a serious eye injury or eye surgery
• Long-term steroid use
• Having radiation treatment on the upper body.
Age-related cataracts typically develop very slowly and gradually and may not cause vision problems for many years, but the AAO notes that cataracts occurring in younger people and those associated with diabetes can develop more quickly.
While no one can stop or reverse the natural aging process that contributes to cataract formation, there are preventive measures the National Eye Institute recommends to help lower the risk of developing cataracts. For example, when spending time in the sun, be sure to wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to shield your eyes from those harmful UV rays. Eating plenty of fruits and veggies can help prevent cataracts as well. Dark, leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and collard greens are especially protective. Last but not least, if you’re age 60 or older be sure to get a dilated eye exam at least once every two years.
If cataracts are beginning to interfere with everyday activities and preventing you from doing the things you want or need to do, surgery may be appropriate. Cataract surgery, which is typically performed on an outpatient basis and causes little to no pain, involves making a tiny incision in the front of the eye, breaking up and removing the cloudy lens, and replacing the lens with an artificial lens implant called an intraocular lens, or IOL.
