Cataract is not a problem as it once was. For most people with poor vision from cataract, the prospects of regaining good vision and resuming normal daily activities are excellent. The term cataract is used to describe the clouding of the natural lens of the eye. The vision dims because the cataract prevents light from passing beyond the lens and focusing on the retina. The common symptoms of a cataract are painless blurring of vision, glare or light sensitivity, poor night vision, needing a brighter light to read, double vision in one eye and fading colors.
A thorough eye examination by an ophthalmologist detects the presence and the extent of a cataract. Other conditions that could additionally compromise vision can also be detected, particularly problems involving the cornea, retina or the optic nerve. The main causes for the cataract is related to aging and referred to as a senile cataract. Other common causes are family history, medical problems, such as diabetes, injury to the eye and long-term unprotected exposure to sunlight.
Posted on February 1st 2010 in Health
