Knowing Cataract: Symptoms, Causes And More!

For the unversed, cataract refers to clouding of the natural lens of the eye. The clouding caused by a cataract impacts one’s vision, making them see things blurry. Cataract is typically related to aging and starts developing by the age of 40, but this can vary. By the time someone is 60, their chances of having cataracts is considerably high. The good news is you don’t have to live with it. Talk to eye doctors in Shreveport, and they can guide you on cataract surgery, which is very simple procedure that can be done in minutes.

Types of cataracts

Cataracts can be further classified into three types – nuclear, cortical and subscapular. In case of cortical cataract, the clouding can be seen near the side of eye lenses. Nuclear cataracts, as the name suggests, are found deep in the lens nucleus and are typically related to aging. Subscapular cataract occurs at the back of the lens, which is more likely to occur to those having conditions such as diabetes.

What causes cataracts?

The eye lens is made of water and protein, but when the proteins huddle together, it causes what we call the cloudy or blurry vision, or the cataract. It is still not clear what cataracts do occur, but some doctors agree that oxidation level changes in the eyes could be a factor. Some people are at a higher risk of getting cataracts than others. The list includes those with diabetes, hypertension, genetics, obesity, smokers, and previous eye surgery.

Symptoms worth knowing

In case of subscapular cataract, the symptoms are not seen, unless the cataract has grown fully. On the other hand, nuclear cataract may have the standard symptoms of cloudy vision. Most people with cataracts often find it hard to drive at night, and some colors may look dull than expected.

Treatment and more

If cataracts start to impact your regular life, surgery is probably the best option, but allow your doctors to take a call on this. This is a very simple procedure, where the cloudy lens is replaced by a clear one, and it doesn’t take more than a few minutes. If you are over 50 and have blurry vision, or issues checking things at night, you may want to get checked for cataracts. Don’t shy away from asking questions when you meet your doctor. Regular screening and early medical intervention can do away with most of the symptoms.