CATARACTS

Overview

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens. Your eye becomes like a window that is frosted or yellowed. Cataracts are a common cause of vision loss, especially as we age, but they are treatable.

Who is at risk?

These factors increase the risk of developing cataracts:

• Advanced age
• Diabetes
• Family history
• Smoking
• Previous eye injury or inflammation
• Prolonged steroid use (especially combined use of oral and inhaled steroids)
• Extensive exposure to sunlight.

If you have any of these risk factors, you should schedule an appointment with your ophthalmologist, Eye M.D., for an exam.
Cataracts are a common cause of decreased vision, particularly for seniors, but they are treatable. Your Eye M.D. can tell you whether cataract or some other problem is the cause of your vision loss and can help you decide if cataract surgery is appropriate for you.

Regular medical eye exams can help prevent unnecessary vision loss. The American Academy of Ophthalmology now recommends that adults with no signs or risk factors for eye disease get a baseline eye disease screening at age 40—the time when early signs of disease and changes in vision may start to occur. Based on the results of the initial screening, an Eye M.D. will prescribe the necessary intervals for follow-up exams.

~ Information provided by the American Academy of Ophthalmology