Many conditions can impact your vision. Issues like nearsightedness or farsightedness are common; however, these aren’t the only eye problems that can alter your eyesight.
Cataracts are a common eye issue that could diminish your quality of life as you age. They affect around 1 in 5 people between the ages of 65 and 74.
But what is a cataract, and who is at the most risk of developing this condition? Keep reading to learn more about who is at risk for developing cataracts.
What is a Cataract?
Your eye has a lens that helps bend light back to your retina. This part of your eye is transparent, flexible, and made of proteins.
Before cataracts form, your lens is transparent, but as people age, it’s common for the proteins in the lens to break down and create cloudy patches.
These cloudy patches on the lens are known as cataracts. When cataracts form, you may feel like you’re seeing everything through a dirty or foggy window.
While cataracts may not be very noticeable at first, they gradually worsen. This could cause issues in your daily life, even while using glasses or contacts.
What Increases Your Risk of Developing Cataracts?
Age is the leading risk factor for developing cataracts. Around 50% of people in the United States over 80 have cataracts.
While age-related cataracts are a common side effect of aging, other factors can increase the risk of cataracts or cause them to develop earlier.
Here are some things that increase your risk of developing cataracts:
Sun Exposure
Spending time in the sun without protecting your eyes can increase the risk of cataracts. Long-term UV exposure can damage your eyes, so it’s best to wear protective visual aids that keep out UV rays.
Smoking and Alcohol Use
Lifestyle and environmental factors such as smoking and alcohol usage can also increase your risk of developing cataracts.
Smoking, in particular, can make you twice as likely to develop cataracts compared to a non-smoker.
Family History of Cataracts
Genetic components influence vision and eye health. If family members have cataracts, you’ll want to be alert to symptoms such as decreased night vision, cloudy vision, and sensitivity to light.
Diabetes
Diabetes can interfere with your health in many ways, including your eyesight. High blood sugars can increase your risk of cataracts and have other negative consequences for your eyes.
If you have diabetes, it’s essential to see your ophthalmologist at Stahl Eyecare routinely for eye exams.
How Are Cataracts Treated?
While glasses and contacts may initially lessen the impacts of cataracts, they don’t treat the underlying issue. The only way to remove cataracts is through cataract surgery.
During cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon will remove your natural eye lens and replace it with an artificial option called an intraocular lens, which remains there permanently.
Cataract surgery is a safe and standard procedure that brings remarkable results to most patients.
Cataracts worsen over time and won’t subside without treatment. The only way to remove cataracts is through cataract surgery.
If cataracts are making it difficult to live your everyday life, consider cataract surgery.
Do you think you could have cataracts? Schedule your cataract consultation at Stahl Eyecare in Garden City, NY. Isn’t it time to see clearly without cataracts?
