However, other factors can contribute to cataract development, including:. Rarely, cataracts are present at birth or develop shortly after. They may be inherited or develop due to an infection such as rubella in the mother during pregnancy. A cataract may also develop following an eye injury or surgery for another eye problem, such as glaucoma. Cataracts are diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination.
This examination may include:. Further testing may be needed to determine how much the cataract is affecting vision and to evaluate whether other eye diseases may limit vision following cataract surgery. Using the information from these tests, your doctor of optometry can determine if you have cataracts and advise you on your treatment options. Cataract treatment is based on the level of visual impairment they cause. If a cataract minimally affects vision, or not at all, no treatment may be needed.
Patients may be advised to monitor for increased visual symptoms and follow a regular check-up schedule. In some cases, changing the eyeglass prescription may provide temporary vision improvement.
In addition, anti-glare coatings on eyeglass lenses can help reduce glare for night driving. Increasing the amount of light used when reading may be beneficial. When a cataract progresses to the point that it affects a person's ability to do normal everyday tasks, surgery may be needed. Cataract surgery involves removing the lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens. The artificial lens requires no care and can significantly improve vision.
Some artificial lenses have the natural focusing ability of a young healthy lens. Once a cataract is removed, it cannot grow back. As with any surgery, cataract surgery has risks from infection and bleeding. Cataract surgery also slightly increases the risk of retinal detachment. It is important to discuss the benefits and risks of cataract surgery with your eye care providers. Other eye conditions may increase the need for cataract surgery or prevent a person from being a cataract surgery candidate.
Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective types of surgery performed in the United States today.
There is no treatment to prevent or slow cataract progression. In age-related ca? Some people may not initially recognize the visual changes. However, as cataracts worsen, vision symptoms increase.
While there are no clinically proven approaches to preventing cataracts, simple preventive strategies include:. Acanthamoeba is one of the most common organisms in the environment.
Although it rarely causes infection, when it does occur, it can threaten your vision. Amblyopia—also known as lazy eye—is the loss or lack of development of clear vision in one or both eyes.
Forgot username or password? You do not have access to this content. Join the AOA today! Eye and Vision Conditions. But your eyesight is likely to get worse as the cataract grows. The symptoms of cataracts may look like other eye conditions. Talk with a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Visual acuity test. The common eye chart test that measures vision ability at many distances. Pupil dilation. The pupil is widened with eye drops to allow a close-up exam of the eye's retina. In addition, other tests may be done to help your eye care professional learn more about the health and structure of your eye.
The symptoms of cataracts sometimes look like other conditions or medical problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. In its early stages, loss of eyesight caused by a cataract may be helped with the use of different eyeglasses, a magnifying glass, or stronger lighting.
When these actions are no longer helpful, surgery is the only effective treatment available. A cataract only needs to be removed when loss of eyesight gets in the way of your everyday activities, such as driving, reading, or watching TV. You and your eye healthcare provider can make that decision together.
Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries. It is also one of the safest and most effective. Surgery involves swapping out the cloudy lens with a new lens. If you have cataracts in both eyes, they are usually not taken out at the same time. Your eye healthcare provider will need to do the surgery on each eye separately.
Over time, cataracts will harm your vision. Cataract surgery can bring back your vision. However, a possible complication of cataract surgery is an "after-cataract. Unlike a cataract, an "after-cataract" can be treated with a method called YAG laser capsulotomy. The healthcare provider uses a laser beam to make a tiny hole in the cloudy membrane behind the lens to let the light pass through. After-cataracts may develop months, or even years, after cataract surgery.
You may experience halos around lights, multiple vision, and poor night vision. Colors may seem faded. In its early stages, vision loss caused by a cataract may be helped with the use of different eyeglasses, a magnifying glass, or stronger lighting.
Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What are cataracts? There are many types of cataracts: Age-related cataracts. Choose a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Adding a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet ensures that you're getting many vitamins and nutrients.
Fruits and vegetables have many antioxidants, which help maintain the health of your eyes. Studies haven't proved that antioxidants in pill form can prevent cataracts. But a large population study recently showed that a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals was associated with a reduced risk of developing cataracts. Fruits and vegetables have many proven health benefits and are a safe way to increase the amount of minerals and vitamins in your diet.
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Overview What a cataract looks like Open pop-up dialog box Close. What a cataract looks like A cataract occurs when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy. How a cataract affects your vision Open pop-up dialog box Close. How a cataract affects your vision Normal vision left becomes blurred as a cataract forms right. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Cataract. Merck Manual Professional Version. Accessed June 28, Mayo Clinic; American Optometric Association.
Jacobs DS. Cataract in adults. National Eye Institute.
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