Approximately 25 million Americans have cataracts, that cause cloudy, blurry or dim vision and often develop with advancing age. This June, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is observing Cataract Awareness Month by sharing three things everyone should know about the condition and its treatment.
As everyone grows older, the lenses of their eyes thicken and become cloudier. Eventually, they may find it more difficult to read street signs. Colors may seem dull. These symptoms may signal cataracts, which affect about 70 percent of people by age 75. Fortunately, cataracts can be corrected with surgery. Ophthalmologists, physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care, perform around three million cataract surgeries each year to restore vision to those patients. The following are facts people should know about the condition.
Age isn’t the only risk factor for cataracts.
Though most everyone will develop cataracts with age, recent studies show that lifestyle and behavior can influence when and how severely you develop cataracts. Diabetes, extensive exposure to sunlight, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and certain ethnicities have all been linked to increased risk of cataracts. Eye injuries, prior eye surgery and long-term use of steroid medication can also result in cataracts. If you have any of these or other risk factors, talk to an ophthalmologist.
Cataracts cannot be prevented, but you can lower your risk.
Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses and brimmed hats when outside can help. Several studies suggest that eating more vitamin C-rich foods may delay how fast cataracts form. Also, avoid smoking cigarettes, which have been shown to increase the risk of cataract development.
Surgery may help improve more than just your vision.
During the procedure, the natural clouded lens is replaced with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens, or IOL, that should improve your vision significantly. Patients have a variety of lenses to choose from, each with different benefits. Studies have shown that cataract surgery can improve quality of life and reduce the risk of falling. If cataracts are interfering with your ability to see well, consider asking your ophthalmologist about cataract surgery.
Seniors concerned that they may have cataracts may qualify for a no-cost eye exam through EyeCare America (www.aao.org/eyecare-america), a public service program of the AAO. EyeCare America offers eye exams and care at no out-of-pocket cost for eligible seniors age 65 and older.
In addition to June being Cataract Awareness Month, it’s also Fireworks Eye Safety Month. Americans spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually on consumer fireworks, which cause more than 9,000 injuries a year. With the Fourth of July holiday just weeks away, the AAO is reminding the public that fireworks are not toys but incendiary devices that can cause devastating eye injuries.
Visit www.aao.org for more tips and information about eye safety and disease prevention.
—Provided by American Academy of Ophthalmology
