Cataract is an eye disease that causes blindness. When cataract occurs the lens of the eye is interfered with an opaque area that does not allow to see clearly. The condition is characteristic to strike people over 40. The most probable causes of it is considered excess of sun, aging, smoking, problems of metabolic character, adverse effect of some medications, former eye problems or illnesses, also a family history of cataract.
If we compare our eyes to a camera we will see that the mechanism of their functioning is just the same. Provided the lens in a camera is spoilt, if there is dirt or a fracture in there, it will not be able to produce a clear image; the same goes with our eyes. With cataract affecting the eyes they are unable to recognize the picture and identify it. This is a very uncomfortable feeling and the problem can be very disturbing in a daily life.
The onset of the illness is usually not tangible. The vision in the eye gradually becomes interfered with some opaque or cloudy area. It results in cloudy and blurred vision due to this affected area; it becomes difficult to read and concentrate; it also becomes hard to perceive bright light. The condition is also characterized by the decay of color and night vision and in some cases appearance of multiple vision.
If you experience any symptoms and have suspicion of cataract go check with your ophthalmologist. There are various tests that diagnose the condition. They are slit lamp evaluation, also glare test, potential vision test, contrast sensitivity test, etc. and others.
The condition is usually treated by surgery: it is removed. The procedure is only carried out after the blurred and cloudy area becomes so dense that a person is unable to see at all. Otherwise cataract is waited until it becomes mature. A surgery generally represents a removal of the lens of the eye and a replacement of it with an artificial one. The operation does not represent any risk for health and is not usually fraught with complications. It improves patients’ vision and reduces the need in spectacles.
Cataract can be caused by various reasons none of them stated for sure but it is better to prevent the condition in order not to treat it afterwards. Do take care of your eyes, review your lifestyle and habits and consider cataract risk factors. If there are some better avoid them. Mind that smoking and excess of sunlight are things that your eyes do not like.