A cataract is not an unfamiliar term for us. It is a common sign of aging, can lead to loss of vision and affects daily life at later stages of it. It is one of the most common causes of loss of vision amongst Americans. Here is everything you need to know about cataract and how you can get relief from it.

Understanding cataract
We are gifted with a natural lens in our eyes, which helps us in our vision. The natural lens is called as the crystalline lens. It is situated behind the iris and the pupil. Cataract refers to the dense and cloudy area that forms over the eye’s lens, and lead to vision problems.

Causes of cataract
There are multiple factors that can result in the formation of cataract, some of which are listed below:

• Natural aging process
• Certain health conditions
• Hereditary deformities
• Constant use of medicines with steroid content
• Smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, obesity, high blood pressure, ultra violet radiation, etc.

Types of cataract
Cataracts are classified into different types depending upon on where and how they develop in the lens of the eyes. They are:

• Nuclear cataract: It occurs in the middle of the lens or the nucleus.
• Cortical cataract: It occurs at the edges of the lens, and move towards the center in a spoke-like appearance.
• Sub-capsular cataract: It occurs at the back of the lens. It is commonly found in people differing from diabetes.
• Traumatic cataract: It occurs due to an injury in the eye. The traumatic cataract will show up after many years of traumatic injury to the eyes.
• Congenital cataract: This type of cataract is a congenital deformity. It can be due to genetic factors or infections.

Symptoms of cataract
The major sign that shows you have cataract is the difficulty in vision. Other signs and symptoms of cataract include:

• Blurry, clouded, or no vision
• Difficulty in vision at nights
• Requirement of brighter lights for activities, especially reading
• Higher sensitivity to light
• See halos around lights
• Double vision

Treatment for cataract
At the initial stages of the condition, the cataract may affect only a part of the lens; hence your vision will not be completely bad. The doctor will advise you to use prescription glasses, anti-glare glasses, or magnifying glasses. As it starts affecting your day-to-day activities and cause loss of vision, it is better to opt for a surgical removal of the cataract.

Cataract surgery is a safe and simple procedure in which the cataract lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. The procedure is an effective remedy to avoid cataract and retain clear vision. It is an outpatient procedure which has a fast recovery and a high success rate.