Cataracts

What causes cataracts?

The lens lies behind the iris and the pupil (see diagram). It works much like a camera lens. It focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye, where an image is recorded. The lens also adjusts the eye’s focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away. The lens is made of mostly water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it.

But as we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract. Over time, the cataract may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see.

Researchers suspect that there are several causes of cataract, such as smoking and diabetes. Or, it may be that the protein in the lens just changes from the wear and tear it takes over the years.

The most common symptoms of a cataract are:

• Cloudy or blurry vision.
  
• Colors seem faded.
  
• Glare. Headlights, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright. A halo may appear around lights.
  
• Poor night vision.
  
• Double vision or multiple images in one eye. (This symptom may clear as the cataract gets larger.)
  
• Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses.
  
• These symptoms also can be a sign of other eye problems. If you have any of these symptoms, check with the Suggs Eye Care team.
  

Cataract is detected through a comprehensive eye exam that includes:

• Visual acuity test. This eye chart test measures how well you see at various distances.
  
• Dilated eye exam. Drops are placed in your eyes to widen, or dilate, the pupils. The Suggs Eye Care team uses a special magnifying lens to examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems. After the exam, your close-up vision may remain blurred for several hours.
  
• Tonometry. An instrument measures the pressure inside the eye. Numbing drops may be applied to your eye for this test.
  
• The Suggs Eye Care team also may do other tests to learn more about the structure and health of your eye.