Cataracts (Age-Related)

Cataracts are cloudy areas that form on the lens in your eye. Usually, your lens is clear. Cataracts develop when protein cells in your lenses break down. The broken proteins form cloudy patches. Over time, they can get big enough to make your vision blurry.

Cataracts usually develop naturally as your eyes age. But injuries and some health conditions can cause them, too.

Cataracts are very common in people over 65. But they’re treatable. An ophthalmologist can perform surgery to remove cataracts and clear up your vision.

Types of cataracts

Your eye doctor might classify cataracts with different names. These names refer to where in your lens the cloudiness develops, including:

• Nuclear cataracts: The nucleus is the center of your lens. These usually affect your ability to see clearly.
• Cortical cataracts: The cortex is the area just outside the nucleus. They can make it hard to see in bright situations, like outside on a sunny day, in a well-lit room or when you’re under a spotlight. Cortical cataracts can also cause halos and glare around headlights when you’re driving in the dark.
• Posterior subcapsular cataracts: The lens capsule is a membrane that covers your lens. These form on the back of your lens, just under the lens capsule. They often make your vision blurry both up close and at a distance.

Symptoms of cataracts

Cataract symptoms can include:

• Blurry, cloudy or foggy vision, like you’re looking through a dirty window
• Colors looking faded or less vivid than usual
• New light sensitivity or seeing a glare or halos around lights
• Difficulty seeing at night, like needing a brighter light to read
• Changes in your vision prescription, especially nearsightedness that gets worse
• Double vision

Cataracts causes

Proteins breaking down in your eyes’ lenses cause cataracts. This usually happens naturally as you age.

Most people develop cataracts over time.

The proteins in your lenses can start to break down around age 40. But you probably won’t start noticing symptoms until you’re over 60. This isn’t a hard and fast rule. Your overall health and any other risk factors you may have can make cataracts appear sooner.

Risk factors

Anyone can develop cataracts. But there are a few factors that may increase your risk, including:

• Eye injuries
• Eye surgeries
• Having diabetes
• Taking corticosteroids
• Certain genetic changes

Complications of cataracts

Cataracts don’t usually cause complications if you visit an eye doctor to get them diagnosed and treated. But untreated cataracts can damage your eyes and vision. Fortunately, the vision loss is usually reversible with cataract surgery.

How doctors diagnose this condition

An eye doctor will diagnose cataracts with an eye exam. They’ll look in your eyes to see the cataract, where it is on your lens and its severity. Tell your eye doctor about any symptoms you’ve noticed and when they started. Tell them about your medical history, including any medications you take or drugs you use.

Your eye doctor may use a slit lamp exam to see inside your eyes. They’ll also test your vision.

How are cataracts treated?

Cataract surgery is the only way to remove cataracts and clear up your vision. An ophthalmologist will remove your clouded natural lens. They’ll replace it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The IOL will stay in your eye permanently. There are lots of options for IOLs. In many cases, they can correct refractive errors at the same time. If you’re a good candidate for them, some types of IOLs may make it so you don’t have to wear glasses or contacts as often after cataract surgery.

Recovery time

It usually takes a month to recover from cataract surgery. Your vision will start clearing up soon after your surgery as your eyes heal. Your surgeon will tell you when it’s safe to resume all your usual activities.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Visit an eye doctor as soon as you notice any changes in your eyes or vision. Especially if your vision is cloudy or blurry. Lots of issues can cause changes in your vision. Even though cataracts usually aren’t an emergency, it’s important to get any new symptoms diagnosed as soon as possible. This will help your eye doctor rule out more serious issues that can cause similar symptoms.

What can I expect if I have this condition?

You might not need surgery right away. Your eye doctor will tell you when the clouding is bad enough to consider it.

Your vision should clear up after cataract surgery. And you might be able to see better than before if you’re a good candidate for the kinds of IOLs that correct your vision.