Seeing the things you love is one of life’s many joys. Family, friends, or simple outdoors views, imagine looking at those sights through a cloudy haze with dulled colors. That’s what having cataracts can do to your vision — and your quality of life.
June is Cataract Awareness Month, and we’re here to share with you more about one of the leading causes of blindness if left untreated.
What Are Cataracts?
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a cataract is when your eye's natural lens becomes cloudy. It might sound simple or not even that serious, but the result of having a cataract (or two) can dramatically interfere with your life, causing poor vision and even blindness.
Most cataracts are age-related, but there are other types, including cataracts that are present from birth, cataracts occurring after surgery or injury, or radiation cataracts from overexposure to radiation from cancer treatments to X-rays.
Are Cataracts Preventable?
Cataracts can develop when you are relatively young — for some people, that’s as early as their 40s. Here are some steps you can take to keep your vision healthier for longer, and reduce your risk of developing cataracts:
- Protect your eyes from UV light.
- Eat a balanced diet with colorful fruits and vegetables to keep enough vitamins and nutrients in your body.
- Get an annual eye exam.
- If you are pre-diabetic or have diabetes, take steps to manage diabetes symptoms and blood sugar.
How Are Cataracts Treated?
The National Eye Institute is clear, no matter what type of cataract you have, the treatment is always surgery. The good news is they also say cataract surgery is moderately simple — it is one of the most common operations in the United States — and has a very high success rate.
The important part is to act early: the longer cataracts are left untreated, the more difficult it can be to successfully remove the cataract and restore vision through surgery. Cataracts might seem to start slowly, but they are still one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States.
Know About Cataracts: Keep Your Future Bright
Protecting your vision matters. Start with regular eye exams that can monitor the changes in your eyesight and detect cataracts (and other vision problems) in their early and sometimes more treatable stages.
During Cataracts Awareness Month, take charge of your health and reach out to your doctor if you have any questions!