Cataracts

Have you or your loved one noticed that his or her vision isn't as clear as it used to be? Cataracts may be developing in your loved one's eyes.

Cataracts are one of the most common medical conditions for older adults - so common in fact, that more than half of all 80-year-old Americans have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. Basically, having a cataract means that the lens inside the eyeball has become cloudy. The lens, located behind the iris and pupil, is a clear part of the eye that focuses light or an image onto the retina. This lens needs to be clear in order to see clearly. But, as a person ages, some protein particles may clump together and form a cloud on the lens. This is the cataract. Another form of age-related cataract is advanced lens discoloration. This is when a person's clear lens slowly changes to a yellowish/brownish color, causing a person's vision to have a brownish shade. It may not cause a problem at first, but over time as the discoloration increases, it may interfere with a person's ability to read, his or her daily activities, and, eventually, loss of sight.

If you notice that your loved one can't distinguish between blues and purples, this may be a sign of discoloration. Other signs of cataracts include cloudy or blurry vision, poor night vision, double vision, faded appearance of colors, and glare from lamps, sunlight, and headlights. Your loved one may also start to see a halo around lights.

Everyone who ages is at risk for developing cataracts. But those with diabetes, those who smoke and who have excessive exposure to sunlight are at great risk. Wearing sunglasses and brimmed hats are protective measures that can help, along with eating green leafy vegetables, fruit and other food with antioxidants and not smoking.

All older adults should have regular eye exams. Some of the symptoms of cataracts could also be a sign of other eye disorders such as macular degeneration or glaucoma. Several tests are given to see if a person has cataracts. These tests include a regular eye chart test, a dilated eye exam (drops are placed in the eye to dilate the pupil while the eye doctor examines the retina and optic nerve with a magnifying glass) and tonemetry, which involves measuring the pressure inside the eye. Early cataract symptoms may be treated with eyeglasses; however, surgery is the only effective treatment. The effects of the cataracts happen gradually, so it is especially important for older adults to have regular eye exams.

Resource: National Institutes of Health