What Are Cataracts?
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Cataracts occur when the natural lens of your eye becomes cloudy, causing blurry or distorted vision. They are a common condition, especially as you age, but they can also develop due to injury, certain medications, or medical conditions like diabetes.
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SYmptoms
Symptoms of Cataracts include:
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Blurry, cloudy, or dim vision
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Difficulty seeing at night
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Sensitivity to light and glare
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Fading or yellowing of colors
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Double vision in one eye
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Frequent changes in your eyeglass or contact lens prescription​
causes
Cataracts develop when proteins in the
lens of your eye break down and clump together, creating clouded areas. Factors that increase your risk include:
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Aging (most common cause)
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Family history of cataracts
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Excessive UV exposure
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Smoking or heavy alcohol use
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Eye injury or surgery
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Long-term steroid medication use​
Treatment
Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful procedures worldwide to help treat cataracts.
During surgery:
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The cloudy lens is removed.
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A clear artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL), is implanted.
The procedure is quick, typically about 15 minutes, and most patients experience improved vision within a few days.​
Prevention TIPS
Reduce your risk of developing cataracts by:
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Wearing sunglasses with UV protection
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Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
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Quitting smoking
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Managing chronic health conditions
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Getting regular eye exams
