It's June, which means it's Cataract Awareness Month. Have you been informed that cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss among patients who are over 55 years old? In fact, more than 50% of all North Americans aged 65 or older have some degree of cataract development. As stated by the National Eye Institute, by the time they hit 80, more than half of all Americans will either have a cataract or had cataract surgery.
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye; one which blocks or alters the path of light into the eye. For a lot of people, cataracts are a natural part of older age. Additional risk factors for developing a cataract include being overweight, diabetes, family medical history, inflamed eyes, smoking and eye injuries.
During the early phases of cataract development, more efficient lights and eyeglasses could be implemented to minimize the vision issues you might be having. Eventually, however, a surgical procedure may be needed to help your eyesight. But, it's comforting to know that more than 90% of people who have undergone cataract surgery reacquire perfect or near perfect vision.
If you are over 55 and noticing low vision symptoms, call us to discuss cataracts with your eye doctor. There are treatments available for cataracts, and we know you want to see well throughout your later years.