kat-uh-rakt : A clouding of the crystalline lens. It has the effect of looking through a dirty window i.e. reducing the quality of vision.
Other effects include :
- Halo’s around lights
- Glare in sunlight
- Increase in short sightedness / decrease in long sightedness.
- Changes in colour vision
Cataracts progress at various speeds depending on the cause and type. When a cataract begins to impede your everyday lifestyle, it can be removed and replaced with a silicone intraocular lens. This is a relatively straightforward procedure with a high success rate.
CAUSES OF CATARACTS
Age related changes are the main cause of cataracts but they can also occur at any age due to :
- A serious injury to the eye
- Mineral deficiencies
- Secondary to diabetes
- The side effect of certain medication
- Smoking
- UV light
- Congenital causes
A regular eye test can help by monitoring the effect a cataract has on your vision. Discuss any questions you have with your Optometrist who will refer you to an Ophthalmologist for further management at the appropriate time.