Cataracts: Are Your Eyes at Risk?
Cataracts can cause your vision to become cloudy making it difficult to see. WebMD defines cataracts as a buildup of protein in the lens, which causes cloudy or fog like vision. The protein buildup prevents light from passing through the lens properly causing some vision loss. New lens cells form on the outside of the lens pushing the old cells together in the center causing a cataract. Cataract surgery in Utah is available to restore normal vision. Vision loss can be a terrifying experience, so do you know how likely you are to develop cataracts?
There are several risk factors that can contribute to developing cataracts, however the most common risk factor is age. Almost everyone will develop cataracts to some degree as they age. Some people get small ones in their 40's and 50's but in your 60's is when cataracts are more likely to affect your vision. About half of people aged 75 and older have cataracts. Regular eye exams with a Utah cataract surgeon as you get older is probably a wise move.
Age is the number one risk factor but gender, family history, race and ethnicity, medical conditions, overexposure to sunlight, smoking, alcohol use, and environmental factors like lead exposure can all contribute as well. Women are more likely to get cataracts than men. With that in mind, if your family has a history of cataracts you may want to pay even more close attention to any changes in your vision. Your race can also affect your chances of developing cataracts. The New York Times published that African Americans are twice as likely to develop cataracts as Caucasians because of medical conditions like diabetes. Hispanics also have a higher risk. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision impairment for Hispanics. Diabetes, autoimmune diseases, eye conditions like nearsightedness or physical injury, and obesity can all be linked to cataracts.
How do you know if a change in your vision is actually a developing cataract though? Cataracts are really slow to form usually, so the difference may be subtle. When your vision becomes foggy, cloudy, blurry, or filmy cataract surgery may be needed. Nearsightedness that becomes worse in a relatively short period of time can mean a cataract is developing. Changes in the way you see color, problems driving at night, glare during the day, double vision, or a sudden change in your glasses prescription are all symptoms.
Cataracts can be treated in any eye center in Utah. Notifying your eye doctor at the first notice of a change in vision helps to get it taken care of before any vision loss occurs. Your doctor can recommend a trusted Utah surgeon to perform cataract surgery.
There are several risk factors that can contribute to developing cataracts, however the most common risk factor is age. Almost everyone will develop cataracts to some degree as they age. Some people get small ones in their 40's and 50's but in your 60's is when cataracts are more likely to affect your vision. About half of people aged 75 and older have cataracts. Regular eye exams with a Utah cataract surgeon as you get older is probably a wise move.
Age is the number one risk factor but gender, family history, race and ethnicity, medical conditions, overexposure to sunlight, smoking, alcohol use, and environmental factors like lead exposure can all contribute as well. Women are more likely to get cataracts than men. With that in mind, if your family has a history of cataracts you may want to pay even more close attention to any changes in your vision. Your race can also affect your chances of developing cataracts. The New York Times published that African Americans are twice as likely to develop cataracts as Caucasians because of medical conditions like diabetes. Hispanics also have a higher risk. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision impairment for Hispanics. Diabetes, autoimmune diseases, eye conditions like nearsightedness or physical injury, and obesity can all be linked to cataracts.
How do you know if a change in your vision is actually a developing cataract though? Cataracts are really slow to form usually, so the difference may be subtle. When your vision becomes foggy, cloudy, blurry, or filmy cataract surgery may be needed. Nearsightedness that becomes worse in a relatively short period of time can mean a cataract is developing. Changes in the way you see color, problems driving at night, glare during the day, double vision, or a sudden change in your glasses prescription are all symptoms.
Cataracts can be treated in any eye center in Utah. Notifying your eye doctor at the first notice of a change in vision helps to get it taken care of before any vision loss occurs. Your doctor can recommend a trusted Utah surgeon to perform cataract surgery.
Source...