Overview

Is a medical condition that affects the eyes natural lens by causing them to be cloudy. Individuals that suffer from this condition describe it as though they are looking through a foggy window. Clouded eye lenses make it difficult for one to drive, read or see from far as images may seem blurry.

Causes

• In older people, cataracts are caused by age maturity / growing old.
• In younger individuals, cataracts can be caused by genetics, disorders such as diabetes and eye injury.
• Obesity
• High blood pressure.
• Excessive exposure to sunlight
• Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
• Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications

Symptoms

• Clouded, blurry and dim vision
• Fading or yellowing of colors.
• Sensitivity to light and glare
• Double vision in a single eye.
• Frequent change in contact lenses or eyewear

Cataract eyes may take years before one suffers from blindness; this is because the symptoms such as the cloudiness of the eye may only affect a small area of the eye causing one to not necessarily be aware of the great damage about to be caused. With the cataract growing larger it then becomes clearly visible that one is losing their sight.

Types of Cataracts

• Congenital Cataracts
  This type of cataract is from birth, you are born with it, they may be genetic and develop as well during childhood. Upon detection from birth, they may be removed.
• Cortical Cataracts
  Cataracts that affect the edges of the eye lens present as whitish, wedge-shaped streaks on the outer edge which then slowly moves to the centre of the eye.
• Posterior Subcapsular Cataract
  This type of cataract progresses faster and affects reading vision, reduces vision in bright light and causes glare.
• Nuclear Cataracts
  Causes near-sightedness that gradually turns more densely yellow and clouds your vision.

Prevention

• Regular eye examinations
• Reduce alcohol use.
• Quit smoking
• Wear sunglasses when you are outdoors
• Follow a diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Manage other health problems that may contribute to cataracts such as High blood pressure.

For individuals that feel as though their condition is not severe but manageable, may further help themselves by using prescribed sunglasses and magnifying glass when reading. However, when left untreated, the cataract eye only gets worse and can only be cured with surgery.