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A couple embraces after a successful cataract surgery

What is a Cataract?

Cataracts occur when the natural lens in the eye becomes cloudy. The natural lens is clear and made up of water and proteins. As you age, the normal proteins start to break down, causing the lens to get cloudy. Cataracts usually develop over a period of years and can cause total blindness if left untreated.

Some of the vision changes you may notice as a cataract develops include:

  • Blurry vision

  • Double vision

  • Light sensitivity

  • Trouble seeing at night (glare, halos/starbursts around lights)

  • Needing more light to read

  • Seeing colors as faded or yellow

Cataracts usually develop as part of the aging process, but can also come from:

  • Eye injuries

  • Certain diseases

  • Medications

  • Genetic inheritance

Eye with cataract vs. Healthy Eye vision chart

Slowing the Formation of Cataracts

While cataracts cannot be directly prevented, certain lifestyle changes may help to slow their formation. A diet rich in antioxidants can help clear free radicals from your body, and has been shown to have a positive effect against the formation of cataracts. Promoting eye health will also help your lenses to remain clear for longer. 

To help prevent or slow the development of cataracts, avoid things that may worsen eye health such as:

  • Smoking

  • Alcohol

  • Ultraviolet (UV) light

Instead, enjoy foods rich in vitamins C and E such as:

  • Oranges

  • Sunflower seeds

  • Avocados

  • Strawberries

  • Spinach

  • Broccoli

  • Trout

  While a healthy lifestyle cannot prevent cataracts from forming, it can help reduce the chances of cataracts appearing as well as help to slow their progression. 

How Can A Cataract Be Treated?

A cataract may need no treatment at all if your vision is only a little blurry.  If your vision is slightly clouded by a cataract, a change in your eyeglass prescription may improve your vision. Cataracts can only be removed with surgery. When you are not able to see well enough to do the things you need or want to do, you should consider cataract surgery.

During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed from the eye. Then your surgeon will replace it with a permanent intraocular lens implant. Over 95% of cataract surgeries improve vision. Your doctor will talk to you about the different intraocular lens implant options and how they work.