Causes And Treatments: What Are Cataracts?

The lens of the eye must be clear in order for the eye to properly function, and cataracts impair this ability. The severity of cataracts may vary greatly, depending upon their exact type, size, and extent. Cataracts are often described according to their progression, or "maturity", a mature cataract being one that makes the entire lens white or milky, a less mature one making it less cloudy or blurred.

The most commonly reported symptoms of cataracts include the clouding of normal vision, such that once well-defined objects are now seen as blurry or foggy. Glare tends to become more of a serious problem, especially in night driving, which can be exceedingly dangerous for those with severe cataracts. A phenomenon called "second sight" is also common, which involves the actual improvement of near vision for those with normal farsightedness. The cataract, as it develops, causes a temporary change in the shape of the lens, which can improve this near vision over the course of the cataract's early development. This improvement will gradually disappear as the cataract progresses in its severity.

Treatment is usually surgical, and tends to involve removal of the lens. Extra-capsular surgery is the most common variety now, which leaves the lens capsule intact, while removing the lens itself. Intra-capsular surgery is less commonly performed, which involves removal of the entire lens and capsule. The lens is replaced with an intraocular implant, or false lens, which takes its place indefinitely. Surgery for cataracts is usually performed on an outpatient basis (meaning no overnight stay in the hospital), and requires only local anesthetic to numb the region under surgery. Intra-ocular lenses are not always necessary, and glasses or contacts may be used to compensate for the absence of a lens.

Certain risk factors may lend an individual toward the likelihood to develop cataracts, and avoiding these factors can help to prevent the necessity for cataract treatment later in life. Smoking, for one, is thought to increase one's risk to develop cataracts. Wearing sunglasses on bright days may help to limit the eye's exposure to UV radiation, one potential cause of cataracts. Multivitamins that contain vitamins C and E are also thought to help reduce one's risk toward the development of the condition.