Signs and Preventative Care for Cataracts

A cataract is an age-related eye condition in which your natural lens becomes cloudy. Statistics say that at least half of the American geriatric population either has had surgery for cataracts or still has the condition. According to the National Eye Institute, cataracts can also form from other eye conditions and injuries. Although surgery can remove cataracts, you can spot the symptoms early and even prevent cataract formation. If you want to distinguish the signs and preventive care methods for cataracts, here’s what you should know.

The Signs

Below are the signs of a cataract formation based on its type:


 

Posterior subcapsular cataract. 

This cataract targets the back of your lens. An opaque section forms and blocks the light that enters. This makes it challenging for you to see under sunny conditions or even read in a brightly lit environment. It also causes you to see halos or glare around lights during the evening.


 

Cortical cataract. 

This type concentrates on the edges of your lens, causing streaks of light or white light to appear around them. At first, these streaks don’t affect your vision. When they develop, they extend toward the center of your natural lens and prevent you from seeing well.


 

Nuclear cataract. 

This cataract starts at the center of your eye lens. It may cause myopia at first or even improve your reading. Eventually, a nuclear cataract causes the clouding and yellowing of your vision. Your yellow vision may then turn brown over time.
 

Other possible signs include double vision and veiled vision. Double vision happens when the clouding in your lenses divides an image. This results in a ghost-like image beside a clearer object or person. With a veiled type of vision, it is like seeing through a veil. It decreases your vision contrast.

 

The Preventive Care Methods

Here are ways to prevent cataract formation:

 

Stop smoking. 

When you smoke, you invite more free radicals to enter and attack your eyes. If you stop this habit, you can prevent cataract formation.

Have a healthy diet. 

Choose foods that are rich in antioxidants like vitamin E. If you already have early signs of cataracts, these foods can delay the condition. Also, try to add more zeaxanthin and lutein to your diet.

 

Decrease in alcohol intake. 

Research shows that if you drink excessive amounts of alcohol as a habit, you increase your risk of developing cataracts.

 

Wear sunglasses. 

UV (ultraviolet) rays can damage the built-in proteins in your lenses. Make it a habit to wear UV-blocking sunglasses when it’s sunny and cloudy.

 

Have routine eye exams. 

With these eye checks, your eye care provider can detect early signs of cataracts. Get an extensive eye exam every two to four years if you are at least 40 years old.

 

Regulate your blood sugar. 

Studies reveal that people with diabetes have a higher risk of getting cataracts than those who are healthy.

You can prevent or delay cataract formation by knowing the signs and ways to keep your eyes healthy. At Shalimar Eye Care, preventing and spotting early signs of cataracts are two of our primary goals for our patients. Please visit our clinic in Shalimar, Florida, for an in-person consultation. You can also call us at (850) 972-1600 if you want to schedule an appointment or ask questions about our cataract treatment packages.

References:

https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/cataracts/how-can-i-prevent-cataracts#2

https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataracts