As we grow older, some eye diseases like cataracts become more common. Cataract is a condition where the eye’s clear lens becomes cloudy, leading to a decline in vision. Over 50% of Americans aged 80 or above have either undergone surgery to remove cataracts or are currently diagnosed with it. Initially, cataracts may not be noticeable. Over time, they can cause blurry, hazy, or less colorful vision, making it difficult to read or perform everyday activities. The good news is that surgery can eliminate cataracts. Cataract surgery is safe and corrects vision problems caused by cataracts.
Listed below are interesting facts from the American Academy of Ophthalmology that you might not know about Cataracts:
There’s more than one type of cataract formation.
The most common type of cataracts (found in people over age 40) forms mainly in the center of your eye’s lens and is called a nuclear cataract. Another type of cataract is called a cortical cataract. This wedge-shaped cataract develops at the edge of the lens instead of the center. A posterior capsular cataract generally forms at the back of the lens, blocking light rays from reaching the retina. Posterior capsular cataracts usually develop faster than nuclear and cortical cataracts.
Having diabetes increases your chances of developing cataracts faster and earlier in life.
The aqueous humor and clear fluid nourish the eye’s lens in the front of the eye between the lens and the cornea. Aqueous humor provides oxygen and glucose (sugar) for cells. Uncontrolled blood glucose levels in diabetics can cause cloudy lens cells leading to cataract formation, which can make vision appear blurry, faded or yellowish.
Cataracts affected the work of the famous artist Claude Monet.
Claude Monet (1840-1926) was a famous French painter. His painting style is Impressionism, which portrays the shifting effects of color and light over time. Monet was diagnosed with cataracts that grew progressively worse between 1912 to 1922. Having age-related cataracts meant Monet could no longer see colors with the same intensity. His early paintings had whites, greens, and blues, but later he used larger brush strokes with yellow, brown, and purple.
The color of your eyes affects your risk of developing cataracts.
Studies show that people with dark brown eyes have a higher risk of developing cataracts than people with lighter eyes. UV light contributes to cataract development, regardless of your eyes’ color. Everyone should protect their eyes from the sun with 100% UV-blocking sunglasses and a wide-brim hat.
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References: American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Optometry. This blog provides information and discussion about eye health and related subjects. The content provided in this blog and any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, they should consult with an appropriately licensed physician.
As we grow older, some eye diseases like cataracts become more common. Cataract is a condition where the eye’s clear lens becomes cloudy, leading to a decline in vision. Over 50% of Americans aged 80 or above have either undergone surgery to remove cataracts or are currently diagnosed with it. Initially, cataracts may not be noticeable. Over time, they can cause blurry, hazy, or less colorful vision, making it difficult to read or perform everyday activities. The good news is that surgery can eliminate cataracts. Cataract surgery is safe and corrects vision problems caused by cataracts.