Cataract Awareness Month: Everything You Need to Know About Cataracts

What Are Cataracts?

Given the statistics, you might assume that cataracts are a widespread, severe condition that could threaten everyone’s vision. In reality, cataracts are a common and relatively benign condition that naturally occurs as we age.

To understand how cataracts develop, it’s helpful to know a little about your eye’s structure. Inside your eye, there is a clear, flexible lens that helps focus light onto the retina at the back of the eye. This enables your brain to interpret the light as an image, similar to how a camera lens functions. The lens consists of a mix of collagen (the same material found in hair and nails) and proteins, with most of the lens made up of these proteins.

As we age, the proteins in the lens begin to break down. Over time, these proteins clump together, forming cloudy areas within the lens. As the clumping progresses, it can obstruct vision, which is why people with advanced cataracts may have cloudy or milky pupils. Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process, and most people will develop them eventually, typically after the age of 40. 

How Do Cataracts Develop?

While aging is the primary cause of cataracts, several factors can accelerate their formation or increase their severity. These include conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, excessive steroid use, obesity, heavy alcohol consumption, prolonged exposure to sunlight, smoking, and previous eye surgeries or injuries. Genetics can also contribute to cataract development.

Though it’s impossible to fully prevent cataracts due to the natural aging process, adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as maintaining a balanced diet, staying active, and avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol use can significantly reduce your risk of developing cataracts.

The Different Types of Cataracts

While cataracts can lead to vision loss and are typically treated with the same surgical procedure, there are actually several different types of cataracts. Cataracts are classified based on where they form in the lens and when they develop. Here are the five most common types of cataracts that eye doctors encounter:

• Nuclear Cataracts: Cataracts that form in the center of the lens and impact both near and far vision. 

• Cortical Cataracts: Cataracts that form on the side of the lens and block central vision. 

• Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts: Cataracts that form at the back of the lens and quickly impact vision in those with diabetic eye conditions. 

• Congenital Cataracts: Cataracts that affect children and can impact a child’s visual development. 

• Secondary Cataracts: Complications associated with cataract surgery that have similar symptoms to cataracts. 

For more detailed information on the different types of cataracts, how they form, and the symptoms to watch for, refer to our comprehensive guide to cataract types.

When Should You See a Professional About Cataracts?

If you’ve been informed that you’re developing cataracts, you might be wondering when it’s time to seek treatment. The need for treatment depends largely on how much the cataracts interfere with your daily life. For example, if you have a small cortical cataract that isn’t obstructing your vision or causing glare, it may be fine to simply monitor the situation.

However, there are several symptoms that may indicate it’s time to consult with an eye care professional about cataract treatment:

• Glare or halos around lights 

• Trouble seeing in dim or low-light settings 

• Difficulty with night driving 

• Shadowing of your vision 

• Seeing color in a yellowish hue or as extremely faded 

• Poor color vision 

If you’re noticing any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to reach out to The EyeDoctors Optometrists and schedule a cataract consultation.

How Are Cataracts Treated?

Once a cataract has fully developed, the only effective treatment option is cataract surgery. During the procedure, the surgeon will make a small incision at the junction where the clear cornea meets the white part of your eye. A probe is used to break up the cloudy lens, which is then suctioned out. An artificial lens is inserted through the same incision to replace your natural lens and restore proper focus. The incision is self-sealing, meaning no stitches are required, and the healing process starts immediately. Only a few eye drops are necessary during the recovery period.

The surgery typically lasts no longer than 10 minutes. If cataracts are present in both eyes, the surgeries are usually performed one at a time, with a few weeks in between to ensure proper healing. Recovery time varies by individual, but most patients are able to return to their usual activities within a day or two. To learn more about cataract surgery and other available treatment options, visit our Cataract Treatment page.

How to Slow Cataract Development

Although age-related cataracts are inevitable, adopting healthy eye habits can help delay their onset and slow their progression. The key is to protect your eyes from oxidative stress, the "wear and tear" that causes the lens to become cloudy over time. Start with these practices, and feel free to discuss additional options with your eye care provider.

1. Wear UV-Blocking Sunglasses: Ultraviolet light accelerates lens damage. By wearing full-spectrum sunglasses, you can decrease exposure to UV rays and potentially delay cataract formation. 

2. Quit Smoking: Smokers are two to three times more likely to develop cataracts because tobacco toxins create free radicals that cloud the lens. 

3. Follow an Antioxidant-Rich Diet: Load your plate with spinach, kale, citrus fruit, berries, carrots, and fish. Vitamins C and E, lutein, and zeaxanthin neutralize oxidative stress inside the eye. 

4. Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check: Uncontrolled diabetes causes sugar molecules to bind to the lens proteins, speeding up clouding. Good glucose control can postpone surgery and slow cataract development. 

5. Use Protective Eyewear: A serious eye injury can trigger traumatic cataracts, a clouding of the lens caused by foreign objects coming in contact with the eye. Wear safety glasses during sports, yard work, or any high-risk task to reduce your exposure.