Exploring Eye Illness: Cataracts

All of mankind's eyes are built using the same structure. Though extremely complicated in design, there are really only a few main parts that control a major function in an eye. The natural lens is one such part that plays a large role in our vision. This lens, which lies behind the iris, both focuses light on the retina and forces our eyes to focus when seeing things near or far. Made mostly of water and protein, the natural lens is arranged in a precise order keeping it clear and allowing light to pass through as it is supposed to. A cataract occurs when the proteins bunch together and cloud the lens, resulting in blurry vision.

Cataracts are classified into three groups: nuclear cataracts, cortical cataracts, and subcapsular cataracts. Nuclear cataracts are by far the most common. Forming in the nucleus, these cataracts develop do to natural aging, and the changes that take place within the body. Cortical cataracts form in the lens cortex and travel to the center of the lens. Diabetics are the most at risk for developing cortical cataracts. Subcapsular cataracts develop at the very back of the lens. Again, diabetics are at risk at developing this type of cataract, but also those who are farsighted and those taking steroids are also put at risk.

How does one know if they have developed a cataract? At first, there may not be any obvious signs, as the vision will appear normal. Later, the vision may appear to blur, as if looking through a piece of milky glass. Also, when looking at lights, the glare may become very powerful, while colors appear duller then they once did. Each type of cataract shows different warning signs. Nuclear cataracts may bring a temporary improvement, or "second sight", before making vision worse. Subcapsular cataracts, on the other hand, may show no signs until fully developed.

There are some ways to reduce the risk of getting a cataract; however, there is no way to prevent cataracts for sure. The most common way people get cataracts is simply through the process of aging. There is no known preventative at this time. To reduce the risk, decrease the amount of time you are exposed to ultraviolet rays. Also, be sure not to drink or smoke as both habits have been thought to increase the chance of getting a cataract. Some studies have shown that a diet with a lot of salt increases the chance of getting the disease, while a diet high in vitamin A will help prevent it.

Currently, there is only a couple of ways to correct a cataract after it has developed, either through corrective lenses, glasses, or through surgery. Surgery is very effective and usually leaves the patient with 20/20 or 20/40 vision. It is the most performed surgery in the United States with over 1.5 million being performed annually. The surgery is done by slicing open the eye, taking out the bad lens, and replacing it with a plastic intraocular lens. Though the surgery is quite safe, hopefully, in the future, a non-surgical method of treatment will be available to the millions of people with this problem.

Health Tip- Try to avoid anything that may help cause a cataract. Be careful of staying out in the sun to long to avoid ultraviolet rays. Eat lots of food with vitamin A. Also, do not drink or smoke at all and hopefully, your eyes will remain healthy.