Cataracts

Cataracts are a common eye condition affecting older people. It clouds the eye’s lens and causes your vision to turn blurry and hazy. The clouded vision can make it harder to read, see a friend’s facial expression, or drive a car, especially at night. The disease usually develops slowly, and people may not notice it at first. Cataracts generally develop in both eyes, but not necessarily evenly: the vision can change somewhat in one eye and advance further in the other.

What are the symptoms of eye cataracts?
People have described cataracts like looking through a cloudy lens or a frosty window. Symptoms can include blurry, hazy, or dim vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty with vision at night. At first, it’s common that people notice they need more light for reading and other activities. Some notice halos around lights and yellowing of colours.

What causes eye cataracts?
Cataracts forms in the lens located behind the coloured part of your eye, otherwise known as the iris. This lens focuses the light that passes into your eye and produces a clear and sharp image on the retina. When you age, the lens becomes less flexible, less transparent, and thicker. Tissues in the lens also tend to break down and clump together, clouding the lens. With time, the clouding becomes denser and can take over larger parts of the lens. This development makes it harder for a sharper image to reach your retina, meaning your vision becomes blurred.

Can cataracts be cured?
At first, cataracts can be treated with better lighting and eyeglasses. If the disease starts to interfere with your daily activities, you can consider surgery, which is generally a safe and effective option.

Cataracts risk factors and prevention
Certain factors can increase the risk of developing cataracts:

• Age
• Diabetes
• Exposure to sunlight
• Smoking
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Previous eye injury or inflammation
• Previous eye surgery
• Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications
• Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol

Various prevention methods can slow down the development of cataracts, such as:
• Avoiding smoking
• Managing diabetes
• Regular eye examinations: spotting the disease early on allows you to take early action to slow down the development of the disease.
• Following a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables filled with antioxidants, which can help maintain the health of your eyes.
• Wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from unwanted UV-light. Make sure to wear sunglasses that provide good protection.
• Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum

Book an eye exam
You can schedule an appointment for an eye exam in our locations in Brampton and Mississauga. We are dedicated to providing the best treatment for our patients. With over 20-years of experience, our staff is competent in diagnosing and treating cataracts. Call us at one of our optometry offices in Brampton or Mississauga or book an appointment now!