Cataract is a clouding of the lens, the clear lens inside the eye, which causes vision to gradually become blurry. It develops slowly, often in both eyes, and most often appears in older people. Below, calmly and step by step: what this lens is, what signs people notice, what increases the risk and how the disease is detected.
What the lens is and why it becomes cloudy
The lens is a natural lens inside the eye, a clear structure that collects light and transmits it to the retina, the light-sensitive membrane at the back of the eye. When protein clumps or a yellow-brown pigment accumulate in the lens, it loses its transparency, and less light reaches the retina. As a result, the image becomes blurry, and doctors call this condition cataract, which translates from Latin as "waterfall". Most often the cause is the natural aging of the body, so cataract occurs more and more often with age.
How vision changes: signs of cataract
The signs increase gradually, and a person often attributes them to fatigue or to the fact that their eyes are no longer what they used to be. The first thing noticeable is blurry vision: the outlines of objects lose their sharpness, and small text becomes harder to read. Here is what else people notice:
- it is harder to see at night and in low light, harder to read and watch TV;
- light hurts the eyes, and lamps and headlights cause blinding glare and glowing rings around the light source;
- one object is seen as two, that is, double vision;
- colors become duller, especially blue;
- glasses have to be changed more often than before.
What increases the risk
One of the causes is age: after sixty, the likelihood of lens clouding increases. The risk is higher if there has been an eye injury or eye surgery, if there are other eye diseases, such as inflammation of the uvea or severe myopia, if a person has taken steroid medications for a long time, smokes, or if a parent, brother or sister had cataract; cataract occurs more often in women. Long-term diseases also increase the risk: type 2 diabetes, severe dermatitis, high blood pressure. Prolonged exposure to the sun without protective glasses and excessive alcohol consumption are also mentioned separately.
How cataract is detected
The diagnosis is made during an eye examination: the doctor looks at the lens and assesses how much it has lost its transparency. A person with such complaints is advised to see an ophthalmologist, a doctor who deals with vision. Even without complaints, eye examinations are planned at certain intervals, especially after forty: this way the doctor sees the first signs of cataract and other vision disorders.
When surgery is discussed
People often hear about a "mature" cataract from older people, but doctors assess how much the clouding interferes with everyday life. Cataract does indeed become more pronounced over time, and without treatment eventually leads to vision loss. At the same time, immediate intervention is usually not needed. The decision about further steps is made together with the doctor, and it is taken into account whether one eye or both are affected.
What is linked to reducing the risk
Wearing sunglasses that block ultraviolet light and a wide-brimmed hat, quitting smoking and healthy eating (leafy vegetables, fruits, fatty fish, whole grains) may reduce the risk or slow the development of cataract, but there are no scientifically proven means of prevention. Smoking is among the risk factors. In diabetes, consistent maintenance of blood sugar levels matters.
Call 103 or 112 immediately if the condition is life-threatening: signs of stroke or heart attack, a severe injury in a road accident. In such cases, emergency help is needed immediately, without delay.
Let us return to the main point: the lens becomes cloudy slowly, the first changes in vision are easy to miss, and they are detected during a routine examination by an ophthalmologist. This material is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation.
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This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer