Each August, the American Academy of Ophthalmology observes Cataract Awareness Month, sponsoring awareness sessions and information workshops to educate Americans about the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 55. A cataract is a painless, cloudy area in the lens of the eye that blocks the passage of light to the retina, which can cause vision problems.
Because aging and exposure to sunlight are the main causes of cataracts, it is no surprise that more than half the people over age 65 have some degree of cataract development, and more than half of people over age 80 either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. It is important to note that changes in your eyes are a normal part of aging, but the changes do not always lead to cataracts.
Symptoms of cataracts include:
- Cloudy, fuzzy or blurry vision
- Colors that appear faded
- Seeing a glare from lamps or the sun
- Difficulty seeing well at night
- Double vision
Your doctor can diagnose cataracts by doing a physical exam and asking questions about your symptoms and past health. You may need tests to make sure you have a cataract or to rule out other conditions that may be causing vision problems. Once diagnosed, cataracts can be treated with surgery to remove them. However, for most adults, surgery is only needed when vision loss caused by a cataract affects their quality of life.
If you are age 60 or older, have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once every two years. If you have early signs of cataracts, new eyeglasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses may help. These actions may help you to delay or avoid cataract surgery. Like any surgery, cataract surgery carries a risk of infection and bleeding, but it is recognized as one of the safest and most effective types of surgery, with a success rate of approximately 90 percent.