Written by: Jennifer Gorman (*Amsive Digital) | Reviewed by: Shelley Wyant | *MHP partners with Amsive Digital on news content
Early Signs of Cataracts to Watch Out For As You Age
Cataracts are a leading cause of vision loss in America, and they’re much more common among older people. They typically start forming after age 60, and by age 75, nearly everyone will have vision-affecting cataracts. Read on to learn what causes cataracts, early signs of cataracts, and how to prevent cataracts.
What are Cataracts?
A cataract is a cloudy area on the lens of your eye. The lens of your eye is a clear tissue located behind your iris (the colored part of your eye). It focuses light that enters your eye to help you see clearly.
When the lens becomes clouded, it may affect the way you see. Some people compare having a cataract to looking through a fogged-up window.
Cataracts typically develop when the proteins and fibers in the lens of the eye break down. Often, that’s due to the aging process, but cataracts can also be caused by things like medical conditions or eye injuries.
Types of Cataracts
There are several types of cataracts. Age-related cataracts are the most common type, and they can be classified as nuclear, cortical, or posterior subcapsular depending on where they form.
Nuclear Cataracts
Nuclear cataracts affect the center of the lens of the eye. Initially, they may improve your reading vision, but as the cataract grows, it starts to interfere with vision. The lens of the eye turns yellow or brown, which can make it harder to tell colors apart.
Cortical Cataracts
Cortical cataracts affect the edge of the lens of the eye. The clouding starts as spots or streaks on the edge of the lens, then gradually grows toward the center of the lens. This type of clouding often causes sensitivity to light.
Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts
Posterior subcapsular cataracts affect the back of the lens of the eye. With this type of cataract, the clouding forms right where light passes through your lens. It causes significant vision changes, such as halos and sensitivity to light. Typically, subcapsular cataracts grow quickly.
Congenital Cataracts
While cataracts are much more common among older adults, some babies are born with cataracts. These cataracts can develop due to certain genetic conditions, or due to exposure to infections in the womb. Unlike the cataracts that affect older people, congenital cataracts don’t necessarily affect vision.
Risk Factors for Developing Cataracts
While anyone can get a cataract, certain factors can increase your risk of this eye condition. Some of the more common risk factors include:
- Aging: Cataracts typically start forming after age 60 as the proteins in the lens break down.
- Family history: If a close family member has cataracts, you may be more likely to develop cataracts, research shows.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage the eye, increasing the risk of cataracts.
- Sun exposure: Over time, exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can increase the risk of cataracts.
- Smoking: Compared to nonsmokers, smokers are about two to three times more likely to develop a cataract.
- Poor nutrition: Eating a diet that doesn’t contain enough necessary antioxidants and vitamins may contribute to cataracts.
Early Signs of Cataracts
Cataracts typically develop slowly, and at first, you might not notice any symptoms. As the cataracts progress, they can cause problems with your vision, such as:
- Blurred vision: You may notice your vision looks cloudy or foggy.
- Night vision problems: You may have trouble seeing in the dark, which can be especially noticeable when driving at night.
- Light sensitivity: Sunlight, lamps, headlights, or other light sources may bother your eyes.
- Glare: You may see streaks or halos around light sources.
- Eye prescription changes: Frequently needing a new eyeglass or contact lens prescription can be a warning sign of cataracts.
- Changes in color vision: You might notice colors look faded or less vivid than normal.
- Double vision: Double vision means you see two images of one object
When Should You Seek Medical Advice?
If you notice any changes in your vision, such as slowly worsening night vision problems, see your eye care professional. They can perform a thorough eye exam to determine if you have symptoms of cataracts or another eye health problem.
How Are Cataracts Diagnosed?
Cataracts are diagnosed with a comprehensive eye exam. To start, your eye care professional will likely use dilating eye drops to make your pupils larger. Then, using a special microscope with a bright light, they’ll look at the lens of your eye for signs of cataracts.
The eye exam is not painful, but the eye drops can affect your vision for a few hours. Ask a loved one to drive you home from the exam.
Prevention and Treatment of Early Cataracts
Cataracts are common, but there are some steps you can take to prevent them from developing. If you notice early signs of cataracts, rest assured that treatments are available.
How Can I Prevent Cataracts?
To prevent cataracts, take steps to reduce your personal risk factors. Incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet to ensure you’re getting a range of necessary nutrients. If you smoke, try to quit. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, remember to wear your sunglasses. If you have diabetes, work with your health care provider to keep your blood sugar under control.
Unfortunately, cataracts are not always preventable, but when they’re diagnosed early, vision complications may be prevented. See your eye care professional regularly for routine eye exams.
How are Cataracts Treated?
If you’re experiencing early signs of cataracts, your eye care professional may recommend cataract treatments like a change in your eyeglass prescription. They may also recommend changes around the home to help you see better, such as better lighting or magnifying lenses.
More advanced cataracts may be treated with surgery. Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States. It involves removing the cloudy lens from your eye and replacing it with an artificial lens. Most people who get cataract surgery notice an improvement in their vision.
Taking Care of Your Eyes
Eye conditions like cataracts become more common with age, so taking care of your eyes is even more important as you get older. Prioritize good eye health habits, like wearing sunglasses and getting regular eye exams, and find a health plan that may cover cataract services.
McLaren Health Plan provides quality health insurance solutions for every stage of life, specifically tailored for Michigan residents. From individual coverage to family plans and Medicare, find out which plan is right for you.
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