• • Diabetes mellitus - Persons with diabetes are at higher risk for cataracts.
  • Drugs - Certain medications have been found to be associated with the development of a cataract. These include:
    • Corticosteroids (oral, nasal, topical and injectable)
  • Ultraviolet radiation - Studies have shown that there is an increased chance of cataract formation with unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
  • Smoking - An association between smoking and increased nuclear opacities has been reported.
  • Alcohol - Several studies have shown increased cataract formation in patients with higher alcohol consumption compared with people who have lower or no alcohol consumption.
  • Nutritional deficiency - Although the results are inconclusive, studies have suggested an association between cataract formation and low levels of antioxidants (e.g. vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids).
  • Rarely, cataracts can be present at birth or develop shortly after. They may be inherited or develop due to an infection, i.e. rubella, in the mother during pregnancy. A cataract may also develop following an injury to the eye or surgery for another eye problem.

  While there are no clinically proven approaches to preventing cataracts, simple preventive strategies include reducing exposure to sunlight through UV blocking lenses, decreasing or discontinuing smoking and increasing antioxidant vitamin intake through consumption of leafy green vegetables and nutritional supplements.

Signs and Symptoms

Cataracts generally form very slowly. Signs and symptoms of a cataract may include:

• Blurred, hazy, or vision
• Reduced intensity of colors
• Increased sensitivity to glare from lights, particularly when driving at night
• Increased difficulty seeing at night
• Change in the eye's refractive error

Cataracts can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. This examination may include:

• Patient history to determine vision difficulties experienced by the patient that may limit their daily activities and other general health concerns affecting vision.
• Visual acuity measurement to determine to what extent a cataract may be limiting clear vision at distance and near.
• Refraction to determine the need for changes in an eyeglass or contact lens prescription.
• Evaluation of the lens under high magnification and illumination to determine the extent and location of any cataracts.
• Evaluation of the retina of the eye through a dilated pupil.
• Supplemental testing for color vision and glare sensitivity.

Additional testing may be needed to determine the extent of impairment to vision caused by a cataract and to evaluate whether other eye diseases may limit vision following cataract surgery.

Using the information obtained from these tests, your Optometrist can determine if you have cataracts and advise you of options for treatment.

How is a cataract treated?

The treatment of cataracts is based on the level of visual impairment they cause.  If a cataract affects vision only minimally, or not at all, no treatment may be needed.  Patients may be advised to monitor for increased visual symptoms and follow a regular check-up schedule. In some cases, a change in eyeglass prescription may provide temporary improvement in visual acuity. Increasing the amount of light used when reading may be beneficial. The use of anti-glare coatings on clear lenses can help reduce glare for night driving.

When a cataract progresses to the point that it affects a person's ability to do normal everyday tasks, surgery may be needed. Cataract surgery involves removing the lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens. The artificial lens requires no care and can significantly improve vision. New artificial lens options include those that simulate the natural focusing ability of a young healthy lens.

Two approaches to cataract surgery are generally used:

• Small incision cataract surgery involves making an incision in the side of the cornea, the clear outer covering of the eye, and inserting a tiny probe into the eye. The probe emits ultrasound waves that soften and break-up the lens so it can be removed by suction. This process is called phacoemulsification.
• Extracapsular surgery requires a somewhat larger incision in the cornea and the lens core is removed in one piece.

Once the natural lens has been removed, it is replaced by a clear plastic lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). For situations where implanting an IOL is not possible because of other eye problems, contact lenses and in some cases, eyeglasses may be an option to provide needed vision correction.

Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective types of surgery performed in the United States today. Approximately 90 percent of cataract surgery patients report better vision following the surgery.