The National Eye Institute explained that as age-related cataracts grow, symptoms of the condition begins to emerge. One such sign of a cataract is your vision becoming “cloudy or blurry”. Colours may seem faded, night vision might decrease, and you might notice a halo around light sources. In fact, any lamps, headlights, or even natural sunlight might seem “too bright”.
“Over time, cataracts can lead to vision loss,” the National Eye Institute cautioned.
If you suspect you might have a cataract, you are strongly advised to book an eye appointment with an optometrist.
As well as older age, other risk factors for developing cataracts include:
- Having diabetes
- Smokers
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Have spent a lot of time in the sun
- Those who take steroids
- And having an eye injury.
What causes cataracts?
From the age of 40, proteins in the lens of your eye begin to break down and clump together.
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“Over time, cataracts can lead to vision loss,” the National Eye Institute cautioned.
If you suspect you might have a cataract, you are strongly advised to book an eye appointment with an optometrist.
As well as older age, other risk factors for developing cataracts include:
Having diabetes
Smokers
Drinking too much alcohol
Have spent a lot of time in the sun
Those who take steroids
And having an eye injury.
What causes cataracts?
From the age of 40, proteins in the lens of your eye begin to break down and clump together.
This lump of protein causes a “cloudy area on your lens”, also known as a cataract.
“Over time, the cataract gets more severe and clouds more of the lens,” the National Eye Institute stated.
You can, thankfully, delay the formation of vision impairing cataracts.
To do so, it is helpful to “wear sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block the sun”.
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In more severe cases, when the cataract interferes with reading, driving, or watching TV, surgery might be recommended.
The NHS explained: “Cataract surgery involves replacing the cloudy lens inside your eye with an artificial one.”
The procedure has a “high success rate” in improving your eyesight, but it can take up to six weeks to fully recover from the operation.
“You can choose to put off having surgery for a while and have regular check-ups to monitor the situation,” the NHS added.
“There are no medicines or eye drops that have been proven to improve cataracts or stop them getting worse.”
