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Has your overall vision become gradually hazy or dim,
without any noticeable eye pain? Do colors appear dull, less vibrant than before?
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It might be...
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye. As people age, cataracts grow progressively
darker and more dense, preventing light from easily passing through
the lens. This results in vision loss.
Patients with cataracts have difficulty seeing in poorly lit
environments. Many people
also experience increased sensitivity to light and glare, double
vision (or "ghost images"), and fading colors (blue may
appear green; white may appear dull beige, etc.).
Most cataracts are highly treatable. Cataract surgery is one of the
most common surgeries performed in the United States with 95% of
patients experiencing improved vision if there are no other eye
conditions present. During surgery, the doctor removes the clouded lens, and, in most cases, replaces it with an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL). An IOL is a clear, plastic lens that requires no care and becomes a permanent part of your eye. Thick eyeglass lenses after surgery might not be
needed because of the implanted lens.
Complicated cataracts cannot be extracted like normal cataracts
because of potential complications such as other eye conditions, lack
of vision in the other eye, or health concerns such as diabetes.
Cataracts at a Glance:
- Affect approximately 50% of people living in the United States
between age 65 and 74, and 70% over age 75, although some cataracts
stay small and don't change eyesight significantly.
- Often form slowly and cause no pain, redness, or tearing in the
eye.
- Do not affect a particular portion of the field of vision.
Cataracts Tips:
- Can be helped by use of high contrasts—large black print on
white paper, white dishes on a dark tablecloth, etc.
- Adjust window shades to reduce direct sunlight.
- Move the TV so that the sunlight is behind it and face chairs
against the sunlight.
- Wear sunglasses and a hat when outdoors on sunny days.
Possible Signs of Cataracts:
- Blurriness throughout your field of vision
- Poor color/contrast sensitivity
- Sensitivity to light
If you or a loved one are dealing with cataracts, you can ask questions or share your story on the AFB Senior Site cataracts message board.
For More Information:
- Finding Help & Support. There are some 1,400 agencies across the country devoted to helping individuals and families adapt to living with vision loss. This page is your gateway to the many support services available to people with vision loss.
- Changing Your Home. Almost any home—whether it's a house or an apartment—can be made safer and easier to navigate with a few straightforward and often inexpensive modifications.
- Daily Living. Suggestions and simple techniques that will help you to continue performing the tasks that make up your daily routine.
- National Eye Institute. Eye health information.
- National Eye Institute. Eye health information in Spanish.
- MedlinePlus. Cataract.
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Understanding my diagnosis helped me take control of my vision loss.
