What People Need to Know About Cataracts

Being diagnosed with cataracts can be a scary proposition for those who know little about this concern. After all, being told that a condition is present that will slowly rob eyesight is frightening. Understanding the facts about this condition and how it is addressed can make the news a whole lot easier to bear.

Here are just a few of the things people need to know about cataracts:

•    It is a very common concern – Cataracts form when the proteins in the eye begin to clump together to form an area of cloudiness on the lens. The condition typically begins with a small area of cloudiness, but it spreads as time passes. The condition is generally associated with aging, but may also present in young children and as a result of trauma to the eye. Cataracts is considered the No. 1 cause of blindness in the world and is estimated to affect more than 22 million Americans.

•    There are some risk factors people can control – While most people will develop cataracts if they live long enough, there are some risk factors folks can control. Excess exposure to sunlight, smoking and overuse of alcohol may all contribute to the development of cataracts.

•    Fixing the concern is easy – Doctors today are able to remove cataract damaged lenses and replace them with synthetic ones using an outpatient procedure. Thanks to developments in laser surgery, the procedure generally only takes a few minutes and involves a very short recovery period of only a few days.

•    The symptoms of cataracts should prompt a trip to the doctor – Cataract symptoms include cloudy vision, fading colors, poor night vision and halos around lights. Getting checked out by an eye doctor is an important first step in addressing this condition.

A diagnosis of cataracts can be troubling, but there are ways to address the concern head on while preserving and improving vision at the same time. If this condition is suspected, it’s best to get checked out by an eyecare provider.

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