A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens, or clear part, of the eye. Symptoms happen slowly, over time, and include:
- Cloudy, blurry vision
- Faded colors
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Sunlight, lamps, and headlights seeming too bright or having halos
- Double vision
According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), the risk goes up after age 40. Other risk factors include:
- Having diabetes
- Smoking history
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Having had an eye injury, eye surgery, or radiation on the upper body
- Spending a lot of time in the sun
- Taking steroids
The NEI identified four steps to cataract prevention. Take these steps now!
- Protect your eyes from the sun with sunglasses and brimmed hats.
- Protect your eyes from injury, particularly while using power tools or playing sports. Use protective equipment or eyewear.
- Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, take steps to quit. Get free support from either of these resources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at 1-800-784-8669 or 1-800-QUIT-NOW
- Florida Quit line 1-877-822-6669 or 1-877-u-can-now
- Make eye-healthy food choices such as fresh fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, and whole grains.
Your eye doctor can check for cataracts as part of a routine dilated eye exam. Home treatments include anti-glare sunglasses, brighter lights for reading or working, and using a magnifying glass to see small print. Surgery to replace the cloudy lens with an artificial lens is generally used to correct cataracts. The surgery is considered safe and effective.
Know your risk factors, take preventative measures, and have your routine eye exams.
For more information, go to https://nei.hih.gov/learn-about-eye-health