Cataracts: What Are They?
An estimated 20 million people across the world suffer from cataracts. While the diagnosis is quite common, many people do not know what this condition nor do they understand the potential threat cataracts poses to their vision if they are allowed to go unchecked.
Cataracts occur when the eye’s natural lens begins to cloud over. The progressive condition is most commonly associated with aging, but injury to the eye may also kick-start the development of cataracts. When the eye’s lens clouds, people are likely to notice such concerns as a blurring of vision, light halos, a loss of vision and other related concerns.
Cataracts associated with age are the most common seen by eye doctors around the world. The condition, however, is one that some babies are born with. Still others may find that cataracts form due to use of certain mediations or following injuries to the eyes.
While cataracts can and will lead to blindness if left untreated, they may progress for years before they are diagnosed. This is because cataract formation causes no pain and tends to progress very slowly. The condition most commonly occurs in both eyes, but may affect only one.
Age-related cataracts are believed to form due to a gradual breakdown of the proteins in the eye’s lens. The process may be promoted by diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Smoking may also contribute to acceleration.
At present, there is no known way to “cure” cataracts, but there is a way to prevent the blindness associated with the condition. Eye surgeons can remove the damaged lens and replace it with a new one. This procedure is typically performed using a laser and takes only a few minutes per eye. Patients will find the laser procedure requires no major preparation and tends to only present with a little discomfort rather than pain.
Cataracts are a very common concern for people as they age. Thanks to laser surgery, however, tackling the concern is a relatively easy process. People who are concerned about cataracts are urged to speak with their vision care provider. Although cataracts cannot be cured, this threat to vision can be successfully addressed on an outpatient basis.
Cataracts occur when the eye’s natural lens begins to cloud over. The progressive condition is most commonly associated with aging, but injury to the eye may also kick-start the development of cataracts. When the eye’s lens clouds, people are likely to notice such concerns as a blurring of vision, light halos, a loss of vision and other related concerns.
Cataracts associated with age are the most common seen by eye doctors around the world. The condition, however, is one that some babies are born with. Still others may find that cataracts form due to use of certain mediations or following injuries to the eyes.
While cataracts can and will lead to blindness if left untreated, they may progress for years before they are diagnosed. This is because cataract formation causes no pain and tends to progress very slowly. The condition most commonly occurs in both eyes, but may affect only one.
Age-related cataracts are believed to form due to a gradual breakdown of the proteins in the eye’s lens. The process may be promoted by diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Smoking may also contribute to acceleration.
At present, there is no known way to “cure” cataracts, but there is a way to prevent the blindness associated with the condition. Eye surgeons can remove the damaged lens and replace it with a new one. This procedure is typically performed using a laser and takes only a few minutes per eye. Patients will find the laser procedure requires no major preparation and tends to only present with a little discomfort rather than pain.
Cataracts are a very common concern for people as they age. Thanks to laser surgery, however, tackling the concern is a relatively easy process. People who are concerned about cataracts are urged to speak with their vision care provider. Although cataracts cannot be cured, this threat to vision can be successfully addressed on an outpatient basis.
Comments
Post a Comment