People who wear glasses deal with their lenses fogging up regularly, especially since wearing masks has become mandated. This blurred vision is similar to what a patient with cataracts sees.  The lens of the eye, which is behind the coloured iris, is responsible for focusing the light that enters your eye. It bends the light and helps you see images clearly. A patient who has a cataract has a cloudy lens in their eye; it prevents the eye from defining an image, which results in blurry vision. A cataract can be present in one or both eyes. 

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

People with this condition experience blurry vision. They have trouble seeing at night and may suffer from double vision. Colours become dull and more faded. Since the problem is within the eye, it does not change the appearance of the iris, nor does not cause any pain or discomfort; it only changes the quality of the patient’s vision. If the prescription for your glasses is changing frequently, it can be a sign that a cataract is developing. Patients with cataracts may notice an increased sensitivity to light and may see halos in their vision. If left untreated, it can eventually develop into vision loss and blindness.

What causes cataracts?

Cataracts are an age-related condition; they become more common as people get older, although there are instances of adolescents and children developing cataracts. When we reach 40 years of age, the lenses of the eyes get cloudy due to the breakdown of normal proteins.  UV damage is another cause of this condition. It’s important to wear sunglasses with UV protection whenever you are outside. If you have family members with cataracts, you will be more at risk of developing cataracts due to your genetics. Some children have cataracts that are present at birth. Patients who take corticosteroid medications for conditions like arthritis are more likely to develop a cataract. Medical issues like diabetes can also contribute to its development. Injuries and trauma to the eyes can lead to this condition. People who undergo eye surgery for conditions like glaucoma are more susceptible to cataracts. Finally, lifestyle choices can put someone at risk for cataracts, including smoking and drinking. Are you concerned that you may be at risk for cataracts? Be sure to have your eyes examined regularly. You can also talk to your doctor about ways to lower your risks by implementing dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes. A nutritional diet can improve the health of one’s eyes; try eating more nuts, leafy greens, and foods with omega-3 fatty acids.

How can they be treated?

There is an effective operation that can restore the vision of a patient with late-stage cataracts. Cataract surgery is a vision correction procedure that can reverse the symptoms of this condition. It helps people perform activities like driving, reading, and watching movies. During the surgery, the clouded lens is removed and is then replaced with an artificial lens. This surgery is safe and highly successful.  Living with cataracts poses unique challenges and makes it difficult to carry out daily activities. Partners for Home offers private home care services in Winnipeg. If you have an aging loved one with cataracts, our home care assistants can help them with actions they struggle with, including food preparation, grooming, and shopping. To learn more about our services, contact us today.