Cataracts
Cataracts develop in the late stages of life and are often undetected until they begin to impair vision. You may suffer from a cataract if your vision is blurry, hazy, and/or colors do not appear as crisp or clear as they once did. Exposure to sunlight can cause trouble seeing as well. A cataract is when cloudiness builds on your natural lens. Cataracts diminish your vision so you can never fully see an image properly. The effect of the cataract depends on the placement and size; some may have very little effect whereas others may cause you not to be able to see out of one eye.
The natural lens is responsible for focusing light on the retina. As the light reaches the retina a signal is sent to the brain for images to be generated. If for some reason the natural lens is cloudy or blocked the light cannot reach the retina which then will not send the appropriate signal to the brain. Many doctors believe that all eyes will eventually develop a cataract.
What causes a cataract?
There is not one specific cause that has been identified as being the cause of cataracts. A number of factors may contribute to the development of a cataract. The age of the eye is said to be the biggest factor in the development of a cataract but they often form as a result of other eye diseases, medications and other medical conditions. Some of the more prevalent causes of cataracts are:
- Getting Older
- Diseases and Medications
- Accidents and Injuries
- Exposure to ultraviolet light
- Birth Defects
- Cigarette Smoking
Types of Cataracts
1. Cortical Cataract – (most common) Cataract forms in the cortex of the lens. It moves from the outside in to the center.
2. Subcapsular Cataract – Cataract forms at the back of the lens.
3. Nuclear Cataract – Cataract forms in the center of the lens.
Your experience will vary depending on the type of cataract that is developing in your eye. Some people may notice that their vision is starting to blur, others may experience sharper vision before their vision begins to worsen
