Information on Cataracts
According to the National Eye Institute, a cataract is a condition characterized by clouding of the lens in one or both eyes. Cataracts are common in older individuals and result in blurred vision.
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The Facts
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The lens is a clear portion of the eye that focuses light on the retina, says the NEI. Cloudy lenses cannot pass a sharp image to the retina, which results in blurred vision.
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Symptoms
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The NEI reports that the most common symptoms associated with cataracts include blurred vision, faded colors, a halo appearing around lights, poor night vision and double vision. These symptoms can also be associated with other eye conditions.
Risk Factors
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Certain people are more at risk for developing cataracts, says the NEI, including diabetics, those who smoke and people who experience prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Treatment
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According to the NEI, early symptoms of cataracts are usually treated by changing eye wear prescriptions. Doctors may surgically remove a cataract if it is greatly affecting everyday life.
Prevention
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Doctors recommend wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes from sun exposure. Stop smoking and eat a healthy diet rich in antioxidants to reduce the risk of developing cataracts, the NEI recommends.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit "eye" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: helgabj (Helga Birna Jónasdóttir) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
