It's June, which means it's Cataract Awareness Month. Did you know that cataracts are the most common source of deteriorating vision among those 55 and older? In fact, more than half of all people 65 or older have some degree of cataract development.
A cataract is like a veil in front of the eye's lens; one that blocks or changes the passage of light into the eye. Inside your eye, the lens is found within a membrane or capsule. As soon as old cells break down, they get caught within the capsule. As time goes on, more cells follow suit and accumulate, and this causes the lens to get cloudy, leading to vision that is fuzzy or blurry. For a lot of people, cataracts are a normal side effect of aging. Other potential risks for developing a cataract include family medical history, long-term steroid use, cigarettes and various eye injuries.
During the early phases of cataract development, brighter lighting and glasses may be prescribed to minimize the vision problems you might experience. At some point, though, cataract surgery might be the solution to improve your eyesight. It's worth nothing that more than 9 out of 10 sufferers who have undergone cataract surgery regain great sight.
If you are in your 60s and experiencing low vision, it's time to discuss cataracts with your eye care professional. There are treatments available for cataracts, and we know you want to have total visibility throughout your later years.
