Cataracts

Inside your eye, there is a natural lens, which bends the light that comes into your eye, helping you to see.

In order for your vision to be as healthy as possible, this lens should be clear. However, cataracts could blur this lens and lower the quality of your vision.

What are Cataracts?

A cataract occurs when your eye's lens becomes clouded. Typically caused by age, cataracts are caused by the breaking down of proteins in your eye's lens.

This causes things to look blurry, hazy or less colorful.

You're at higher risk of developing cataracts if you have family members who have cataracts, if you have a medical condition like diabetes, if you smoke or if you spend a lot of time in the sun often without UV protective sunglasses.

If you develop a cataract, here are a few things you can do:

• Continue getting your eyes examined at least every two years.
• If you aren't already, begin wearing sunglasses that protect your eyes from UV light.
• Limit nighttime driving when your night vision, halos or glare become issues.
• Take care of other health issues like diabetes.
• Use more light when reading and consider using a magnifying glass.

Cataracts not only cause trouble with your vision, but a study published in 2021 linked untreated cataracts to an increased risk in dementia.

If your cataract is giving you trouble, ask your ophthalmologist about having cataract surgery.

Cataract Surgery

If you develop a cataract, surgery is the only way to remove it. Fortunately, it is a simple procedure and allows you to go home within an hour after being finished.

During the surgery, your doctor will replace your natural lens with an artificial one

Typically, your vision will recover in days or weeks following the surgery, but your ophthalmologist will likely give you some limitations on your activities to ensure you're getting the best outcomes. You can discuss these limits with your surgeon.