June Is Cataract Awareness Month

June is Cataract Awareness Month! Did you know that more than half of all Americans will develop cataracts by age 80?

There are more than 3 million cataract procedures conducted every year, making it the most common surgical procedure in the U.S. Cataract Awareness Month is the perfect time to learn more about this condition, its causes, and its cures. Let’s take a look at some of the facts and fiction surrounding this common condition.

Fact or Fiction? Cataracts are caused when a film grows on the eye’s surface.

This is fiction. A cataract does not form on the eye, but rather within it. A cataract is a clouding or opacity of the eye’s lens. The lens is the part of the eye responsible for focusing light and producing clear, sharp images. The cloudiness or “film” on the lens is a result of the cataract forming within the eye.

Obviously, what you see when you have cataracts is different than what you see when you don’t. That’s why cataracts are such a problem. Cataracts are caused by an excess of protein building up on the lens of the eye, which can obstruct your central vision. Cataracts also often cause halos around light sources, which makes activities like driving at night dangerous. This is why elderly people often lose their independence – if they can’t drive themselves somewhere after dark, they’ll stay home or depend on others for rides. This is why it’s so important to know about early prevention options as well as forms of treatment so that you are prepared to tackle cataracts as you age.

Fact or Fiction? “Overusing” your eyes will cause cataracts.

This is also fiction. Cataracts are not made worse by close work such as reading, sewing, watching movies, or looking at television. Those up-close activities can lead to a slew of other conditions if overdone, though. You can develop refractive errors, like myopia. And, you can experience headaches and eye strain from Computer Vision Syndrome. It’s not so much “overusing” as “using too much in the wrong ways.” If you’ll be spending many hours on the computer, make sure you take breaks often. The 10-10-10 Rule will help keep eye strain at bay. But it’s important (and comforting) to remember that this type of work will not cause cataracts.

Fact or Fiction? You can “catch” a cataract from someone who has one.

This is clearly fiction! Cataracts are not contagious. They are, however, affected by genetics. If your parents and grandparents all developed cataracts in old age, you have a higher likelihood of also developing them. For people with cataracts in their family, learning about cataracts, your family health history, and how to prevent them is key.

Fact or Fiction? Cataracts occur solely in old age.

Fiction. Although most common in people over 60, cataracts can occur at any age. But what causes cataracts? When cataracts occur in younger patients, they are usually caused by a chronic medical condition, eye trauma, or certain prescription drugs. Fetal exposure to infection, radiation, steroids, alcohol, and other substances of abuse during pregnancy are risk factors for congenital cataracts.

For adults, risk factors may include smoking, steroid use, and deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals. Prolonged exposure to sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B (UVB), is a definite risk factor for cataracts. Medical conditions such as diabetes, myotonic dystrophy, or Wilson’s disease increase the risk for cataracts, regardless of age. Women and African Americans are at increased risk as well.

If you belong to a group with an increased risk, take extra precautions. Learn more about this condition and how to prevent it. Recognizing the symptoms and learning about different forms of cataract treatment will help you be prepared if you happen to develop cataracts later in life.

Fact or Fiction? Cataracts always lead to blindness.

Fiction. Cataracts form slowly and cause no pain. For most people, cataracts are a natural result of aging. They are the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. However, they are also the most treatable. If you notice cataract symptoms, it’s important to seek help from a medical professional.

Symptoms of cataracts include:

• Blurred, cloudy, filmy, or fuzzy vision
• Distorted images or double vision in either eye
• A fading or yellowing of colors
• Sensitivity to light and glare, especially while driving at night
• Frequent changes in your eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions

They may recommend surgery, which is a relatively easy and painless procedure. You may experience some tenderness post-surgery, but it is an easy outpatient procedure. The important thing to note is that if you catch cataracts early enough and get them treated, you can avoid going blind.

Fact or Fiction? A cataract must be “ripe” before it is removed.

Fiction. Cataracts can take from a few months to several years to develop. Sometimes the cataract stops developing in its early stages, and vision is only slightly decreased. But if it continues to develop, vision is impaired, and treatment is necessary.

The best way to treat cataracts that have already formed is to remove them. The best time to have a cataract removed is when it starts to interfere with your quality of life.  You and your ophthalmologist should determine together when cataract surgery is right for you. You may want to try other methods to naturally improve your eye health first.

Fact or Fiction? Cataracts are removed using lasers.

Fiction. Doctors replace diseased tissue with an artificial device known as an intraocular lens implant. Cataract surgery is most often done as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. The patient generally goes home the same day, and because the incision is so small, many patients don’t even need stitches.

However, months or years after the cataract is removed, a thin membrane may develop behind the implant that needs to be opened with a laser. The procedure is quite common and may be one reason why some patients mistakenly believe that cataracts are removed with a laser.

Fact or Fiction? Cataracts can’t “grow back” after surgery.

Fact! This is the best news… Cataracts do not grow back, and most patients experience clearer vision right after surgery. In the odd case, a similar condition develops on the secondary lens that wasn’t removed during surgery. This is called Posterior Capsular Opacification and can cause a clouding in your eyes. Since this complication isn’t uncommon, there’s effective laser treatment available to fix it.

Fact or Fiction? Cataracts can’t be prevented.

More good news! This is fiction. You can absolutely do a lot to prevent cataracts early in life. The most important thing you can do to prevent cataracts is change your diet. Focusing on antioxidants can make a world of difference in the fight against cataracts.

Free radicals, the force behind most cataracts, are unstable atoms that cause damage and sometimes death to the cells in your body. However, antioxidants balance out the free radicals and prevent cell damage. Foods rich in antioxidants include the following:

• Berries: especially blueberries, cranberries, and blackberries
• Pomegranate
• Beans
• Russet potatoes
• Artichokes

Sun exposure is also a major cause of this condition, so wearing sunglasses every time you go outside is a must. Just a few lifestyle changes can help you save your eyes from cataracts.

Cataract Awareness

It’s easy to take good vision for granted when you’re young. But later, you’ll wish you had thought about it more. Learning more about the facts and fiction surrounding cataracts and what you can do to prevent them is a great first step. You can also help to raise awareness so that your friends and family don’t lose their vision to cataracts, either.

For more information about cataracts and how you can prevent them and their progression, check out our in-depth articles about cataracts.