Treatment Options
Understanding Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens that gradually reduces the amount of light reaching the retina, causing vision to become blurry, hazy, or dim. Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision loss worldwide and are most commonly associated with aging. By age 80, more than half of all Americans have either developed a cataract or undergone cataract surgery.
Many people with cataracts also have other common vision conditions, including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism (which causes blurred or distorted vision), or presbyopia, the age-related loss of near vision that typically begins in the 40s.
How the Lens Works
The eye’s natural lens sits behind the colored iris and the pupil. Much like the lens of a camera, it focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye, where images are processed and sent to the brain. The lens also changes shape to help us focus on objects both near and far.
A healthy lens is made primarily of water and proteins arranged in a highly organized structure that allows light to pass through clearly.
What Causes Cataracts?
As we age, the proteins within the lens begin to break down and clump together. These protein clusters create cloudy areas that interfere with the passage of light, resulting in a cataract. Over time, the clouding typically becomes more pronounced, making everyday activities such as reading, driving, recognizing faces, and seeing at night increasingly difficult.
While aging is the most common cause of cataracts, other factors can increase the risk of developing them, including:
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) sunlight
- Long-term use of corticosteroid medications
- Previous eye injury or inflammation
- Prior eye surgery
- Family history of cataracts
Researchers believe cataracts develop through a combination of the natural aging process, oxidative stress, and cumulative wear and tear on the lens over many years.