Cataracts

What are Cataracts?

If you notice that your vision is clouded, or maybe colors aren’t as vibrant as they once were, you may be developing cataracts, a condition in which the proteins in your intraocular lenses begin to break down. At Catonsville Eye Group, the team of expert optometrists diagnose, monitor, and treat cataracts to preserve your vision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cataracts?

Cataracts are a condition where the proteins in your intraocular lens break down and cloud your lens. Your intraocular lens is located behind your iris and refracts the light that enters your eye, focusing it on your retina. When you have cataracts, you experience symptoms such as:

Blurry vision
Seeing double
Faded or yellowed color vision
Poor night vision
Light sensitivity

If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with the team at Catonsville Eye Group right away.

What causes cataracts?

The most common cause of cataracts is aging. After the age of 40, the proteins in your eyes begin to break down. The process is very slow, in most cases. In fact, you might not have any clouding in your lenses until your 60s and may not experience any symptoms until years later. Some of the risk factors for cataracts include:

A family history of cataracts
Health conditions like diabetes
Eye injuries or surgery
Spending a lot of time in the sun
Certain medications like corticosteroids

Age-related cataracts typically develop slowly. However, if your cataracts are due to a condition like diabetes, your cataracts may develop much more rapidly. If you live in a sunny climate or spend a lot of time outdoors, make sure to wear sunglasses that have UV protection to reduce your risk of sun damage to your eyes.

How are cataracts treated?

If your optometrist at Catonsville Eye Group notices signs of cataracts during your routine eye exam, he will let you know about your condition. There’s no cure for cataracts, so your doctor monitors the progression of your cataracts and your vision. If your cataracts progress to where they severely impact your vision, your optometrist refers you to an ophthalmologist who determines if you need surgery to replace your clouded lenses.

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home to recover after your treatment. In most cases, cataract surgery is highly successful and corrects refractive error as well as the clouding and distorted vision caused by cataracts.