What Are Cataracts Symptoms?

A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in the normally clear lens of the eye.

Most cataracts are caused by normal changes in your eyes as you get older.

When you’re young, the lens in your eye is clear. Around age 40, the proteins in the lens of your eye start to break down and clump together. This clump makes a cloudy area on your lens — or a cataract.

Most cataracts develop in people over age 55, but they occasionally occur in infants and young children or as a result of trauma or medications.

Depending upon its size and location, it can interfere with normal vision. It is a very common condition among seniors, and may require the attention of eye care providers to treat them.

How a cataract forms? Cataracts symptoms.

A cataract is a cloudy lens. The lens is positioned behind the colored part of your eye (iris). The lens focuses light that passes into your eye, producing clear, sharp images on the retina — the light-sensitive membrane in the eye that functions like the film in a camera. As you age, the lenses in your eyes become less

Cataracts symptoms?

Cataracts are often an important feature in aging eyes.

At first, the cloudiness in your vision caused by a cataract may affect only a small part of the eye’s lens and you may be unaware of any vision loss. As the cataract grows larger, it clouds more of your lens and distorts the light passing through the lens. This may lead to more-noticeable symptoms.

Cataracts Early Symptoms: None

Later Symptoms: Blurry vision, colors that seem faded, sensitivity to light, trouble seeing at night, double vision

If you have cataract symptoms, see an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) for a complete exam.

The doctor will need to dilate your pupil to see inside your eye. During this test, special eye drops widen your pupil (the black part of the eye). When the pupil is wide open, your doctor checks the health of your eye.

Are cataracts painful? Cataracts symptoms

Cataracts are not always painful. They may cause you discomfort because the eye sensitivity increases.

Can you get cataracts in both eyes? Cataracts symptoms

There are cataracts in either of these eyes. The eye may have worse symptoms later on.

Cataract Causes and Types

Cataracts are formed if you have protein in the eye and they become cloudy. It prevents the sunlight from entering the eye indefinitely. This could make you lose sight.

Nuclear Cataract

Also termed nuclear sclerosis cataract it is usually seen more often by doctors. All those people who live longer usually find them. They are formed in a focal place within the eye called an nucleus. Your reading ability will improve with age. The word “second sight” has not lasted long. Over time lenses harden and turn yellow and brown.

Risk Factors – Cataracts symptoms

Cataracts can also be caused by other eye conditions:

Past eye surgery or medical conditions such as diabetes.
Long-term use of steroid medications, too, can cause cataracts to develop.

But a large population study recently showed that a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals was associated with a reduced risk of developing cataracts. Fruits and vegetables have many proven health benefits and are a safe way to increase the amount of minerals and vitamins in your diet. Wear sunglasses. Ultraviolet light from the sun may contribute to the development of cataracts. Wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet B (UVB) rays when you’re outdoors.

other factors can contribute to cataract development,

Including:

Diabetes mellitus. People with diabetes are at higher risk for cataracts.
Drugs. Certain medications are associated with cataract development. These include: Corticosteroids. Chlorpromazine and other phenothiazine related medications.
Ultraviolet radiation. Studies show an increased chance of cataract formation with unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Smoking.
Drink too much alcohol
Have a family history of cataracts
Have had an eye injury, eye surgery, or
Radiation treatment on your upper body
Have spent a lot of time in the sun
Take steroids (medicines used to treat a variety of health problems, like arthritis and rashes)

If you’re worried you might be at risk for cataracts, talk with your doctor.

How is a cataract diagnosed?

Symptoms of cataracts should be examined by an eye doctor. A doctor may need the dilation of the eyelid. During your eyesight test, special eye drops expand your eye’s black areas. The pupil is open and your doctor will check the condition. The eye doctor may check for any eye damage or cataracts and determine if the blockage is visible.

For your cataract test, the doctor needs a thorough diagnosis. They will examine your eyes and can perform tests such as:

Eye dilation

The pupils are wide open so the doctor can more clearly see the back of the eye. Using the slit lamp, an ophthalmoscope or both, the doctor looks for signs of cataract. Your ophthalmologist will also look for glaucoma , and examine the retina and optic nerve . Refraction and visual acuity test This test assesses the sharpness and clarity of your vision. Each eye is tested individually for the ability to see letters of varying sizes .

You and your ophthalmologist should discuss your cataract symptoms. Together you can decide whether you are ready for cataract surgery.

At what stage should cataracts be removed?

Many people wait until the cataracts cause enough blind spots, or make reading or driving difficult. Sometimes people require cataract surgery to diagnose other eye ailments, including aging, retinal changes, or diabetes.

An ophthalmologist (doctor who specializes in eye health) performs cataract removal surgery.

A magnifying glass may be useful, too. Limit driving at night once night vision , halos or glare become problems.

Common Types of Cataracts- Cataracts symptoms

Age related cataracts are the most commonly encountered types and they are classified according to the anatomy of their lens. Nuclear subcapsular cataracts can be seen in the brain. Patients often develop an opacimetry in multiple lenses, which can cause overlap with cataract classifications.

Types of cataracts- Cataracts symptoms

Common Types of Cataracts

Cataracts include nucleated ocular cataracts. The nuclear cataracts can cause you to have more near vision or temporarily improve your reading ability. But with time, your eyes begin to get yellow and cloudier. As cataracts develop slowly, lenses can even begin turning black. Advanced yellowing or browning may cause difficulty separating colors.

Nuclear Sclerotic Cataract

When protein builds up in the lens of your eye and makes it cloudy. This keeps light from passing through clearly. It can cause you to lose some of your eyesight.

There are many types of cataracts . Nuclear cataracts Also called a nuclear sclerotic cataract, this is the kind doctors see most. Anyone who lives long enough usually ends up with one. They form in the center of the lens, known as the nucleus. As they get worse, your reading vision may actually get better. It’s called second sight, but it doesn’t last long. Over time, the lens hardens and

Posterior Polar Cataracts

A rapid onset form of cataract, which is quite uncommon, may be found in some diabetic patients with very elevated blood sugars, especially younger type 1 diabetics. Posterior Polar Cataract © 2015 American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Posterior polar cataracts often don’t cause symptoms, which is good because they’re hard to remove.

Anterior polar cataracts

Anterior polar cataracts They form on the front and center of your lens and look like small white dots. These cataracts typically don’t bother your vision.

Posterior Subcapsular

Cataracts that affect the back of the lens (posterior subcapsular cataracts). A posterior subcapsular cataract starts as a small, opaque area that usually forms near the back of the lens, right in the path of light. A posterior subcapsular cataract often interferes with your reading vision, reduces your vision in bright light, and causes glare or halos around lights at night.

Small posterior sub capsular cataracts and some structural changes viewed through.

Corticcal Cataracts

Cataracts that affect the edges of the lens (cortical cataracts). A cortical cataract begins as whitish, wedge-shaped opacities or streaks on the outer edge of the lens cortex. As it slowly progresses, the streaks extend to the center and interfere with light passing through the center of the lens.

Cortical cataracts occur when the portion of lens fibers surrounding the nucleus become opacified. The impact on vision is related to how close the opacities are to the center of the visual axis and their impact can vary greatly. Progression is variable with some progressing over years and others in months.

Congenital Cataracts

Cataracts you’re born with (congenital cataracts). Some people are born with cataracts or develop them during childhood. These cataracts may be genetic, or associated with an intrauterine infection or trauma. These cataracts may also be due to certain conditions, such as myotonic dystrophy, galactosemia, neurofibromatosis type 2 or rubella.

How is a cataract treated? Cataracts symptoms

You can use contact lenses if it’s mild and require an eye exam. Cataracts tend to get worse however. Your surgeon may recommend a procedure involving cataract removal.

What’s the Treatment? Cataracts symptoms

Cataract removal is one of the most commonly performed operations in the United States.

The goal in modern cataract surgery is not only the removal of the cataract, but also the replacement of the cataract with an intraocular lens (IOL).

Surgery has never been effective in cataracts. You could easily find a replacement prescription to replace your eyeglasses. The better lens will improve your vision. When it gets hard for you to learn, try bright lighting. If you feel glare or need glasses with anti-glare coatings, look at these glasses and see the benefits. It can be a useful thing a driver does during the night. Keep track of how cataracts affect your vision. When your vision problems stop preventing your everyday routine, or even making driving dangerous, you should consult with a physician about having surgery.

Cataract surgery.

Early stage, cataracts don’t disturb your eyesight. But with time, cataracts will eventually interfere with your vision. At first, stronger lighting and eyeglasses can help you deal with cataracts. But if impaired vision interferes with your usual activities, you might need cataract surgery. Fortunately, cataract surgery is generally a safe, effective procedure.

What are the different types of cataract surgery? Cataracts symptoms

Cataract surgery involves removing the lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens.

During cataract surgery, the doctor removes the clouded lens and replaces it with a new, artificial lens (also called an intraocular lens, or IOL). This surgery is very safe, and 9 out of 10 people who get it can see better afterwards.

Your doctor will punch a tiny probe into the eye. The probe emits ultrasound waves that soften and break up the lens so it can be suctioned out. This process is called phacoemulsification.

Extracapsular surgery requires a somewhat larger incision in the cornea so that the lens core can be removed in one piece. The natural lens is replaced by a clear plastic lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). When implanting an IOL is not possible because of other eye problems, contact lenses and, in some cases, eyeglasses may be an option for vision correction.

The artificial lens requires no care and can significantly improve vision. Some artificial lenses have the natural focusing ability of a young healthy lens.

There are three kinds of procedures that help eliminate cataract:

phoenic ophthalmectomy,
phenol ophthalmectomy,
phacoemplastic surgery.

Your doctor will open an eye for your clouded lens. The optical ophthalmologist breaks out the lens by combining ultrasound with laser waves. The doctor removes the fragment of your eye and inserts a plastic eyepiece. Extracapsular cataract may require additional surgery, unless phacoemulsification is a good option. A cataract is usually too dense to easily disintegrate.

How soon will my vision improve after surgery? Cataracts symptoms

It can take a couple of days before your cataract surgery to clear your. You’re gonna get more visual results during your first few weeks. 9 in 10 people see better after cataract removals. You will still require contact lenses during a cataract surgery procedure. It’s possible that your prescription changes and you need eyeglasses or contact lenses. In some cases you may need LASIK® after removing cataracts and need to have a second eye procedure to correct your eye condition.

How long will I have blurry vision and glare after cataract surgery?

When a cataract clouds over the lens, your eye can’t focus light in the same way. This leads to blurry vision or other vision loss (trouble seeing). Your vision change depends on the cataract’s location and size.

How much time does it take to recover from cataract surgery? Cataracts symptoms

Usually the eye heals in about 8 weeks. However, you can begin daily activities immediately after undergoing an operation.

As with any surgery, cataract surgery has risks from infection and bleeding. Cataract surgery also slightly increases the risk of retinal detachment. It is important to discuss the benefits and risks of cataract surgery with your eye care providers.

How painful is cataract surgery? Cataracts symptoms

Then, it should be very easy to remove cataracts with no pain at all!

Afterwards you may feel a slight pain. Your doctor may give you painkillers for your first days.

Prevent dry eyes before and after cataract surgery – with TheraLIfe

Cataract surgery causes dry eyes. Treat your dry eyes before and post surgery for faster recovery.

Relief dry eyes before and after cataract surgery to aid faster recovery.

Get 9 Tips for Dry Eye Relief!

Amazing Cataracts Symptoms