When vision becomes cloudy, normally due to age factor, you can suspect cataract. The primary effect of cataract is blurred vision. Then, what is cataract and how does it develop? The word cataract is derived from Latin word cataracta which means waterfall. It is metaphorically imported into the modern English for its blurring effect on the eye.

What Is a Cataract?

Cataract is clouding of the eye lens, mostly due to aging, barring a small percentage of other secondary reasons like diabetes, sustained exposure to ultraviolet light etc. The US National Institutes of Health and National Eye Institute have estimated that over half of Americans above the age of 80 will develop cataract or have already developed.

If you did not know already, cataract will not spread from eye to eye, but can occur in either or both eyes.

What Causes Cataracts to Develop?

Most age related cataracts develop in either of the two ways discussed here.

1. Protein clumping is one of the main reasons for clouding of the lens. This occurs when lens proteins begin to denature as a result of aging. You may not be able to notice the difference when cataract is small but as it grows and spreads, eye sight gets worse and eyeglasses and stronger lighting can help cope up until surgery is an absolute necessity.

2. With the aging of lens, it looses its natural clarity and may add a tint of yellow or brown. As with protein induced cataract, you may not be able to notice the browning or blurring of vision initially. But with the passage of time and increase in browning, reading and routine activities get affected. The one difference in tinted cataract is, the vision sharpness will not reduce but identifying colors like blues and purples will be difficult.

How Do I Know if I Have Cataracts?

Cataract will not show signs until at least it has developed partially. However these are the common symptoms.

1. Faded colors and blurred vision

2. Poor night vision but headlights and sunlight may appear all too bright with a halo around the source.

3. Temporary double or multiple visions which gets cleared as cataract develops further.

4. Frequent need to change contact lenses or spectacles.

Who Is At Risk? Should I Worry?

Those who indulge in alcoholism or those who are exposed to UV light for a long time are at danger of developing cataract. Even diabetics face the same risk.

Different Types of Cataract

1. Secondary cataracts as an after effect of eye surgery, like in the case of glaucoma
2. Congenital cataracts in new born babies, which in rare cases lead to lens replacement
3. Traumatic cataracts due to eye injuries. These have very late onsets

Cataract Treatments

Early symptoms are taken care of by eyeglasses but when everyday life gets affected after its complete development, your most effective options are cataract surgery, or non-invasive alternative treatments like cataract eye drops.

By: NamSing Then -

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Four years ago my doctor told me I had cataracts in both eyes. This was surprising news because I was not aware of the cataracts. I could still read small print, watch television, and drive at night. But when I had my last physical a few months ago my vision had changed. The symptoms of cataract were obvious and they affected my quality of life.

Cataract is the medical term for a cloudy eye lens. The lenses in my eyes had become very cloudy. It was hard for me to read emails in small print. The colors on my computer screen were not as bright as they used to be. Proof-reading manuscripts was a time-consuming challenge. These symptoms made writing harder. As for night driving, it was so scary I didn’t do it any more.

According to an article on the Mayo Clinic website, "Cataract Surgery," the symptoms of cataract include difficulties with cooking, shopping, yard work, and stairs. These tasks were not difficult for me, but reading was difficult because my contrast vision was poor. Glare was an ongoing problem. Light at the side of my eyes, such as a setting sun, made my vision worse. Why did it take me so long to recognize the symptoms of cataract?

For one thing, the cataracts developed very slowly. Laser surgery on both eyes for detaching retina was another reason. After this surgery the eye doctor told me I would always see flashing lights when I turned off house lights, passed street lights, or car lights. Unfortunately, I didn’t know that seeing halos around lights was a symptom of cataract. I thought the halos were due to laser surgery.

My eye glasses were not as helpful as they used to be. Often, I would think my glasses were dirty, take them off, and clean them, to no avail. If you are a senior citizen and if you are female, you need to know the symptoms of cataract. According to an article by Desai, Pratt, Lentzner and Robinson, "Trends in Vision and Hearing Among Older Americans, on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website, cataracts are most prevalent in older women.

If vision is really impaired, the article continues, you need to consider cataract surgery. "Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed in America, approximately 1.5 million a year," according to the authors. Ninety-five percent of the patients who have cataract surgery have improved vision. Vision affects everything you do and it is wise to have it checked regularly.

Knowing the symptoms of cataract helps your doctor to help you. See an eye doctor right away if you have any of the symptoms cited in this article. My vision was so impaired that I had cataract surgery on one eye and will soon have it on the other. The results are astonishing and I am living in a bright world again.

Author: Harriet Hodgson

Copyright 2009 by Harriet Hodgson http://www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson has been an independent journalist for 30 years. She is a member of the American Association of Journalists and Authors, the Association of Health Care Journalists, and the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Centering Corporation in Omaha, Nebraska, — a well-known and respected grief resource center — has published her 26th book, "Writing to Recover: The Journey from Loss and Grief to a New Life." The company has also published the "Writing to Recover Journal," which contains 100 writing affirmations, and the "Writing to Recover Affirmations Calendar," a stunning collection of photos and life affirmations.

Please visit Harriet’s website and learn more about this busy author and grandmother.

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