Understanding Cataracts: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Cataract

A large waterfall

Cataract is a medical condition that affects the human eye. It is a clouding of the natural lens in the eye that typically develops slowly and causes blurry or hazy vision.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide and are more common in older adults, although they may also occur in younger people due to various causes such as genetic factors, certain medications, or eye injury.

Symptoms of cataracts include blurry or dim vision, difficulty seeing at night, sensitivity to light, seeing halos around lights, and fading or yellowing of colors.

Cataracts can also cause double vision in one eye, and in severe cases, they can lead to total blindness if left untreated.

Treatment for cataracts involves surgery, which aims to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens implant. It is a commonly performed procedure that is generally considered safe and effective.

In some cases, non-invasive treatment such as prescription glasses, magnifying lenses, or increased lighting may help manage symptoms of cataracts, but surgery is typically the only way to correct the condition.

Preventing cataracts can be achieved by avoiding prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, wearing sunglasses, maintaining a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, managing chronic health conditions, and getting regular eye exams to detect any changes in vision.

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