Are you wondering if you are one of the 20 million Americans after the age of 40 that have cataracts? If so, you aren’t alone in pondering this question. Millions are diagnosed each year, with cataracts in one or both eyes. A large percentage of these people will face corrective surgery.

What are Cataracts?

In the simplest terms, cataracts are the clouding in the lens of the eye. In order to see light properly, the lens has to be clear. Cataracts affect your vision; it is like looking through a dirty window all the time.

Some things increase the risk of cataracts such as diabetes, smoking, alcohol use, too much prolonged exposure to the sun and more. It often is considered an age related problem. It commonly bugs through who are over 40-50 years old. Typically, it shows up around 60 years old.

The Signs of Cataracts

1. Blurriness

It may start off small. You may not notice it all the time. However, the blurriness will increase over time. Everything around you will look cloudy or blurry.

2. Light Sensitivity

For people with cataracts, light sensitivity is a common problem. Bright lights can be painful. This is an early sign for subcapsular cataracts. Pay attention to this symptom; it may allow the cataracts to be caught early.

3. Halos

Cataracts can cause diffraction of light when it enters the eye. This often results in a sort of halo around light sources. Halos make driving difficult; rings often appear around every light. Driving while it is dark is extremely dangerous for those with cataracts.

4. Frequent Prescriptions

Have you needed more frequent prescriptions lately? If so, it may not mean that your eyes are dramatically changing. It may mean you have cataracts. A Detroit Eye Doctor can determine why your eyesight is rapidly changing.

5. Difficulty at Night

Over time, cataracts darken and take on a brown or yellow tinge. This is one of the other reasons why drinking at night isn’t suggested for those with cataracts. Most night activities can be affected by cataracts.

6. Double Vision

The diffraction that causes the halos can also lead to seeing two or more images of one item. While other health factors cause double vision, it is also a sign of cataracts progressing over time.

7. Yellow Vision

As time goes on, you may notice the light in your eye having a yellow tint. This happens because the protein that is clouding your eyes begins to clump together and turn yellow. Cataracts can make telling colors apart rather difficult.

How are Cataracts Treated?

Once diagnosed with cataracts, you will develop a plan with your eye doctor. You may end up needing new glasses with strong bifocals to help with visual aids.

The most common treatment of cataracts is through surgery. The success rates overall are very high; it is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in the United States. Over 3 million have the same procedure done yearly. There is nothing to be afraid of; living with terrible vision is worse than a painless surgery.

During this surgery, the doctor will remove the clouded lens from the eye. Then, it will be replaced with an intraocular lens. These lenses are called intraocular lens (IOL). They are typically made of plastic and developers are working to create better ones each year.

If you feel as if you have some of these signs, don’t hesitate to see a doctor. The lens of your eye is an important part of your body. Using proper eye protection is one of the best ways to combat the possibility of cataracts. Teach children the benefits of eyewear to prevent future danger. Cataracts are a treatment eye problem; see a doctor if you are concerned.