The Truth Behind Cataracts

Have you ever looked at a cat or dog and noticed that their eyes look clouded over? If so, then you know what cataracts look like. And although cataracts can inflict animals, did you know that they are also the number one cause of blindness in people over the age of 40? By understanding what cataracts are, how they are caused, and how they can be treated, you can stay more informed regarding your vision health. Read on to learn more.

What Are Cataracts?
Affecting 24.4 million Americans over the age of 40, cataracts is an eye disease that should be taken seriously. Caused primarily by age, cataracts occur when the proteins in the eye start to clump together and fog up the eye.

How Are Cataracts Caused?
As mentioned above, other than age, there are other contributory factors to developing cataracts including but not limited to the following:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High Blood Pressure
• Smoking
• Hypertension
• Genetics
• Previous Eye Surgery
• Corticosteroid Medication

How Are Cataracts Treated?
Luckily we live in a day and age where cataracts can easily be treated. Depending on how advanced your cataracts are, you may just be required to wear glasses or bifocals to help stabilize your vision. If the problem persists, however, you may have to get surgery. By removing the cataract from your eye, your lens will be removed and replaced with an artificial lens. As a very effective form of surgery, our patients rave about their results.

If you are over the age of 40, you should be getting your eyes checked for cataracts from Millennium Park Eye Center on a yearly basis. Remember that if caught early on, you can help to stop your cataracts from getting worse. If you would like to learn more about cataracts or other eye related diseases, contact the eye experts at Millennium Park Eye Center.