12 Facts on Cataracts shared by eye specialist. Find 12 amazing facts about cataracts, Get updated yourself by useful cataracts information.
13 Facts on Cataracts shared by an eye specialist. Find 13 amazing facts about cataracts, Get updated yourself with useful cataracts information.
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness and the most common cause of vision loss in people over 40. Worldwide, there are more cases of cataracts than glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy combined.
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| 13 Surprising Facts About Cataracts by Eye Specialist |
A cataract is simply a clouding of the lens of the eye and it can be caused by age, medical conditions, or genetic predisposition. The protein clumps up in your eye, clouding your lens and reducing the light from reaching the retina. There are three different types of cataracts and some of the most common symptoms include cloudy vision, halos or glare around lights, and difficult nighttime vision.
13 Facts About Cataracts
Although cataracts are a relatively common condition, most people know very little about it. Here are five surprising facts you may not know about cataracts:
1. There’s more than one type of cataract formation.
The most common type of cataract (found in people over age 40) forms mainly in the center of your eye’s lens. This is called a nuclear cataract. Another type of cataract is called a cortical cataract and posterior capsular cataracts (which develop faster than nuclear or cortical cataracts).
2. Babies can be born with cataracts.
When a baby is born with a cataract or develops it during early childhood, it is called a congenital cataract. It can be due to genetics, certain health conditions or infection, or trauma before birth.
3. Having diabetes increases your chances of developing cataracts faster and earlier in life.
The eye’s lens is nourished by the aqueous humor, clear fluid in the front of the eye between the lens and the cornea. Aqueous humor provides oxygen and glucose (sugar) for cells. When someone with diabetes has uncontrolled blood glucose levels, cells in the lens can become cloudy and less transparent. Eventually, cataract forms, making things appear blurry, faded, or tinged yellow.
4. Cataracts do not come back after they are surgically removed.
With cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist replaces the cloudy natural lens of your eye with a clear artificial lens. The new lens does not become cloudy again. However, some people do develop what is called a “secondary” cataract later after surgery. This is when the thin membrane that holds the lens becomes cloudy. With a quick procedure called a posterior capsulotomy, your ophthalmologist can use a laser to make an opening in the cloudy capsule, allowing light to pass through again for clear vision.
5. If you have a high degree of myopia (nearsightedness), you have a higher risk of having retinal detachment after cataract surgery.
If you are very nearsighted and are considering cataract surgery, you and your ophthalmologist can discuss this risk and the benefits of surgery.
6. Cataracts affected the work of the famous artist, Claude Monet.
Claude Monet (1840-1926) was a famous French painter. His style of painting is known as Impressionism, which portrays the shifting effects of color and light over time. Monet was diagnosed with cataracts that grew progressively worse between 1912 to 1922. Having age-related cataracts meant that Monet could no longer see colors with the same intensity. The whites, greens, and blues of his earlier paintings were gradually replaced with larger brush strokes of more yellow, brown, and purple colors.
7. The color of your eyes affects your risk of developing cataracts.
Studies show that people with dark brown eyes have a higher risk of developing cataracts than people with lighter eyes.
UV light is a known contributor to cataract development no matter what color your eyes are. Everyone should protect their eyes from the sun with 100% UV-blocking sunglasses and a wide-brim hat.
8. In certain cases, ophthalmologists may recommend cataract surgery for both eyes even if vision is still good for one eye.
After having a cataract removed from one eye, most people probably will not have surgery on the other eye until that cataract begins to interfere with daily activities. However, there are certain circumstances when an ophthalmologist may recommend doing cataract surgery in the other eye even if there are no vision problems. Replacing the lens in both eyes helps to balance vision, a key way to reduce the risk of falling for some people (which can cause hip fractures). And for some, replacing the lens in the second eye can decrease their risk of developing a serious form of glaucoma called angle-closure glaucoma.
9. Cataracts don’t just affect the elderly
One of the biggest misconceptions about cataracts is that it is a condition that only affects the elderly. It is true that the majority of the time it affects the elderly but people of all ages can develop cataracts.
10. Cataracts are the biggest cause of vision loss in the world
Cataracts are the most frequent cause of vision loss in people over the age of 40 and the leading cause of blindness worldwide. There are actually more cases of cataracts worldwide than there are of glaucoma.
11. Sun exposure can increase your risk of cataracts
Most people know about the dangers that UV rays pose to their skin but did you know that UV rays can be incredibly harmful to your eyes as well? UV rays speed up the breakdown of protein in the lens, which causes cataracts to form. The best way to prevent this is by wearing a hat and protective eyewear.
12. You can reduce your risk for cataracts
There is no way to completely prevent cataracts from forming but you can reduce your risk by wearing sunglasses, eating a healthy diet, getting exercise, and avoiding tobacco products.
13. Cataracts develop painlessly
One of the reasons why people don’t often realize they have cataracts until they have experienced significant vision damage is because cataracts develop painlessly. Cataracts are not usually painful until they have developed to the point where they cause extreme sensitivity to light.
If you are concerned about cataracts or want information about cataract surgery, schedule an appointment with one of the top eye doctors. They would love to help you improve your vision and reduce the effects of cataracts.
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