Cataracts generally form very slowly. Signs and symptoms of a cataract may include:

• Blurred or hazy vision

• Reduced intensity of colors

• Increased sensitivity to glare from lights, particularly when driving at night

• Increased difficulty seeing at night

• Change in the eye's refractive error, or prescription

 

In age-related cataracts, changes in vision can be very gradual. Some people may not initially recognize the visual changes. However, as cataracts worsen, vision symptoms increase.

 

Types of Cataracts

The lens is composed of layers, like an onion. The outermost is the capsule. The layer inside the capsule is the cortex, and the innermost layer is the nucleus. A cataract may develop in any of these areas. Cataracts are named for their location in the lens:

• A nuclear cataract is located in the center of the lens. The nucleus tends to darken, changing from clear to yellow and sometimes brown.

• A cortical cataract affects the layer of the lens surrounding the nucleus. The cataract looks like a wedge or a spoke.

• A posterior capsular cataract is found in the back outer layer of the lens. This type often develops more rapidly.

 

What Causes Cataracts?

Most cataracts are due to age-related changes in the lens of the eye that cause it to become cloudy or opaque. However, 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. There is possibly an association between smoking and increased lens cloudiness.

• Alcohol. Several studies show increased cataract formation in patients with higher alcohol consumption compared with people who have lower or no alcohol consumption.

• Nutritional deficiency. Although the results are inconclusive, studies suggest an association between cataract formation and low levels of antioxidants (for example, vitamin C, vitamin E and carotenoids). Further studies may show that antioxidants can help decrease cataract development.

 

Rarely, cataracts are present at birth or develop shortly after. They may be inherited or develop due to an infection (such as rubella) in the mother during pregnancy. A cataract may also develop following an eye injury or surgery for another eye problem, such as glaucoma.

While there are no clinically proven approaches to preventing cataracts, simple preventive strategies include:

• Reducing exposure to sunlight through UV-blocking lenses

• Decreasing or stopping smoking

• Increasing antioxidant vitamin consumption by eating more leafy green vegetables and taking nutritional supplements

 

How Is a Cataract Treated?

Cataract treatment is based on the level of visual impairment they cause. If a cataract minimally affects vision, or not at all, no treatment may be needed. Patients may be advised to monitor for increased visual symptoms and follow a regular check-up schedule.

In some cases, changing the eyeglass prescription may provide temporary vision improvement. In addition, anti-glare coatings on eyeglass lenses can help reduce glare for night driving, and increasing the amount of light used when reading may be beneficial.

When a cataract progresses to the point that it affects a person's ability to do normal everyday tasks, surgery may be needed. Cataract surgery involves removing the lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens. The artificial lens requires no care and can significantly improve vision. Some artificial lenses have the natural focusing ability of a young healthy lens.
 

The Importance of Nutrition

Researchers have linked eye-friendly nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc to reducing the risk of certain eye diseases, including cataracts

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Source: American Optometric Association (https://www.aoa.org/)