Most cataracts happen because of normal changes in your eyes as you get older. When you're young, the lens in your eye is clear. Around age 40, the proteins in the lens of your eye start to break down and clump together. This clump makes a cloudy area on your lens — known as a cataract.
The most common cause of cataracts is aging. The proteins in the lenses of our eyes begin to break down around the age of 40, causing clouded vision.
The operation can be performed at any stage of cataract development. There is no need to wait until your cataract is “ripe” before removing it. Most people choose to have their cataracts removed when the change in their vision starts to cause them difficulties in everyday life.
Trauma-related cataracts are typically the most fast-growing type of cataracts. Radiation: Radiation-related cataracts, sometimes listed under trauma-related cataracts, occur after the lens has been exposed to radiation. Exposure to high levels of radiation can result in clouded vision in as little as two years.
Two important vitamins for cataracts are vitamins C and E. Both of these vitamins can treat cataracts, but they can also slow the progression of the cataract and help prevent them. In one study, researchers compared the diets of twins over the age of 60.
Research has shown that eating foods that contain the healthy vitamins C and E, and lutein and zeaxanthin, may reduce your risk of cataracts. Additionally, if you already have cataracts, these vitamins and nutrients may slow their progression.
The Cons of Cataract Treatment
You might experience itching, discomfort, or pain during this process. Swelling and bleeding are also common side effects. It takes about eight weeks to heal from cataract surgery fully. Your eyes will need to adjust to the new lenses after surgery, which can cause discomfort.
At what age do cataracts usually start? The proteins in your eye's lens start to break down around age 40. But you typically won't notice symptoms until age 60 or later. Certain medical conditions, like diabetes, may cause you to have symptoms sooner.
In the case of age-related cataracts, the condition usually progresses slowly over a number of months or years. While some patients can be tempted to wait until their vision is sufficiently affected, you may also undergo surgery to fully restore your vision at any stage of cataract development.
Roughly 51 percent of the world's cases of blindness are the result of cataracts. That's an estimated 20 million people. Much of this is due to the fact that not all regions of the world have access to reliable eye care centers, which means cataract removal surgery cannot be performed.
Common causes of early onset cataracts (below age 40) include having poorly-controlled medical conditions like hypertension, eczema and diabetes, chronic use of steroid medications, previous eye trauma, and family history of early onset cataracts.
These side effects usually improve within a few days, but it can take 4 to 6 weeks to recover fully. If you need new glasses, you will not be able to order them until your eye has completely healed, usually after 6 weeks.
You should also do your best to avoid soft drinks, processed foods, fried foods, and sugary snacks. Eating and consuming these things are all associated with the increased likelihood of cataracts at a younger age.
Orange Juice
This popular drink is rich in vitamin C. Increasing the level of vitamin C in your diet can help reduce your risk of developing cataracts, so starting some of your mornings with a glass of orange juice might be a great way to keep your eyes healthy.
Purpose: Observational studies suggest that higher serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration may be associated with lower risk of cataract.
While not a direct cause of cataracts, stress and anxiety can aggravate existing eye conditions that lead to cataracts. A perfect example of this is dry eye syndrome, which is a condition that occurs when your tears are unable to keep your eyes lubricated.
Sun Exposure and Cataracts
Recent research has found that frequent, chronic exposure to sunlight can contribute to the formation of cataracts. Cataracts often form through a process known as oxidative stress, and typically appear with age.
In a stage 3 cataract, symptoms will be similar to stage 2 but more severe affecting quality of life and daily activities. In addition, the most noticeable change will be that the lens has changed in color from slightly clear or opaque to completely white or deep amber.