What Are Cataracts?
The term cataracts could make it sound as if something grows on the eye. This is somewhat true. The lens of the eye is made up of proteins and other matter. Cataracts form out of tiny particles of protein that stick to the lens. A clump gradually forms, spreading across the lens and causing it to become thick and cloudy.
Do You Know These Details About Cataracts?
Cataracts account for the majority of cases of preventable blindness not only in the United States but in the world. It has been estimated that 1 in 6 American adults over the age of forty has cataracts.
Age is not the only risk factor for cataracts. It is a misconception that only the elderly get cataracts, as we see from the statistics we’ve included here. Although cataracts do get worse over time, they are not necessarily caused only by aging. People who smoke, consume alcohol, have high blood pressure or diabetes, or have spent a large amount of time outside without sunglasses are at risk of cataracts.
Cataracts don’t cause cloudy vision until they have become relatively severe. The early signs of cataracts are hard to catch if you don’t know what to look for. They include seeing halos around lights, having a difficult time seeing at night, and colors losing vibrancy.
Cataracts can have a severe impact on quality of life, but the vision loss caused by this condition can be reversed. Cataract removal surgery is one of the most frequently performed eye surgeries. It takes only a few minutes to replace the clouded lens with an ultra-thin synthetic lens, which can be selected for vision correction.
We are proud to serve patients in the Winchester, VA area. To learn more about cataract removal surgery, call 540.722.6200.
