If you’ve noticed that your vision is becoming a little cloudy or that a cloudy film is beginning to cover a loved one’s eye, this very well could be the start of a cataract. Since age is the number one factor determining this condition, it’s quite common in the senior community. This is because, as we age, the eye’s lens gradually changes and becomes less transparent. According to the National Eye Institute, by age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have opted for cataract surgery. So, what causes cataracts, how is vision affected, and what treatment options are available? Read below to learn more!

What Causes a Cataract?

Proteins in the eye’s lens must be arranged in a specific way in order to keep the lens clear. Unfortunately, age causes some of those proteins to clump, forming a cataract on a small part of the lens. Over time, cataracts can grow larger and cloud an increasing portion of the lens. Physicians don’t know why the eye’s lens changes with aging, but several factors other than aging are thought to cause cataracts, too. They include:

• Diabetes
• Eye trauma
• Medications
• Smoking
• Previous eye surgeries

Your Vision with Cataracts

In order to see, light must pass through the lens of the eye, which is located behind the iris and the pupil. A healthy lens is clear and able to change shape, allowing light to easily pass through to the retina. However, as we get older, the lens simply doesn’t work as effectively as it had previously. When the cells of the lens change, it begins to take on a cloudy appearance. This is known as a cataract. With a layer of cloudiness covering the lens, light can no longer pass directly through and vision problems begin to develop. These issues can occur in one eye or both, but cataracts do not spread from one eye to the other. They aren’t infectious.

Symptoms of Cataracts

The most common symptoms of a cataract are:

• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Colors appear dull
• Sensitivity to light
• Seeing a halo around light sources
• Double vision

Treatment for Cataracts

When cataract symptoms appear, seniors might be able to temporarily improve their vision using new glasses, magnifying glasses, brighter lighting, or doctor recommended visual aid tools. However, when cataracts progress and create serious vision problems, surgery is the only effective treatment. Not to worry, though. It is the most commonly performed surgery in the US, with over 3 million patients undergoing the procedure each year. It’s quite common and highly effective. During the surgery, skilled ophthalmologists simply remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens implant instantly improving one’s vision. If you or a senior loved one are beginning to develop these specific signs and symptoms of cataracts, it might be best to see the eye doctor. He or she can recommend the proper next steps to ensure healthy vision for years to come!