What causes cataracts?

Answer 1

There are many things that can lead to the formation of cataracts: Diabetes, exposure to radiation, metabolic and genetic disorders, etc. Unfortunately, there is no clear evidence to suggest that we can prevent or delay the onset of cataracts, which are the result of normal aging changes. The only proven way to avoid cataracts is to not survive long enough to develop them.

That being said, we know that cataracts are a result of oxidative damage. So, it would make sense that doing things to reduce oxidative damage (such as taking antioxidants and wearing sunglasses) might delay the onset of visually significant cataracts. Unfortunately, there is no "hard" evidence that these activities do actually prevent or delay cataract formation.

What, then, to do? Well, there are no real downsides to wearing sunglasses with ultraviolet protection (and they do reduce the risk of other ocular diseases). Additionally, antioxidants are relatively inexpensive (especially when compared to other unproven homeopathic treatments) and they do have other health benefits. So, I generally advise my own patients to wear sunglasses with UV protection and take a multivitamin antioxidant supplement.

Everyone eventually develops cataracts. Often, however, the growth of a cataract is so slow people do not realize their vision has deteriorated until something they need or like to do is limited. For some it is reading, others driving. It could even be something like Golf or completing crossword puzzles. Because the change in vision is so gradual, many people are convinced it is the world (not their vision) that has changed. I often hear such comments as "Those charts in the DMV are smaller than the last time I got my license," or "The newspapers must be trying to save money on ink, because it's not as dark as it used to be." When I hear these things, I pretty much know I'm about to diagnose a cataract before even examining the patient.

In medicine, we call things that people like or need to do, "activities of daily living." When these activities are limited by a cataract that cannot be corrected with spectacles or contact lenses, it is time to consider cataract surgery.

Typical symptoms of cataracts include: blurred vision, cloudy vision, glare or halos around lights at night, and the sense that colors are not as vibrant as they should be. As the cataract progresses, it filters out blue light. This results in a yellowing of the world around us. Some people have described their vision with cataracts as similar to "looking through a dirty windshield."

Fortunately, with modern cataract surgery techniques, we no longer have to wait until the cataract is "ripe." If you are having difficulty with your activities of daily living and your eye surgeon feels you have a significant cataract, then most insurances (including Medicare) will cover the procedure and the standard intraocular lens that is used to replace the cataract.

Probably the most important decision someone who is considering any eye surgery must make is what surgeon to choose. For this purpose, I have created a report for my cataract patients to help them in choosing a surgeon. The document can be viewed by clicking this link:

http://www.sgveye.com/resources/35-about-your-eyes/233-10-things-you-must-know-before-choosing-your-cataract-surgeon

The advice in this document can be applied to choosing any surgeon in any specialty, not just cataract surgeons.

Answer 2

There are many things that can lead to the formation of cataracts: Diabetes, exposure to radiation, metabolic and genetic disorders, etc. Unfortunately, there is no clear evidence to suggest that we can prevent or delay the onset of cataracts, which are the result of normal aging changes. The only proven way to avoid cataracts is to not survive long enough to develop them.

That being said, we know that cataracts are a result of oxidative damage. So, it would make sense that doing things to reduce oxidative damage (such as taking antioxidants and wearing sunglasses) might delay the onset of visually significant cataracts. Unfortunately, there is no "hard" evidence that these activities do actually prevent or delay cataract formation.

What, then, to do? Well, there are no real downsides to wearing sunglasses with ultraviolet protection (and they do reduce the risk of other ocular diseases). Additionally, antioxidants are relatively inexpensive (especially when compared to other unproven homeopathic treatments) and they do have other health benefits. So, I generally advise my own patients to wear sunglasses with UV protection and take a multivitamin antioxidant supplement.

Everyone eventually develops cataracts. Often, however, the growth of a cataract is so slow people do not realize their vision has deteriorated until something they need or like to do is limited. For some it is reading, others driving. It could even be something like Golf or completing crossword puzzles. Because the change in vision is so gradual, many people are convinced it is the world (not their vision) that has changed. I often hear such comments as "Those charts in the DMV are smaller than the last time I got my license," or "The newspapers must be trying to save money on ink, because it's not as dark as it used to be." When I hear these things, I pretty much know I'm about to diagnose a cataract before even examining the patient.

In medicine, we call things that people like or need to do, "activities of daily living." When these activities are limited by a cataract that cannot be corrected with spectacles or contact lenses, it is time to consider cataract surgery.

Typical symptoms of cataracts include: blurred vision, cloudy vision, glare or halos around lights at night, and the sense that colors are not as vibrant as they should be. As the cataract progresses, it filters out blue light. This results in a yellowing of the world around us. Some people have described their vision with cataracts as similar to "looking through a dirty windshield."

Fortunately, with modern cataract surgery techniques, we no longer have to wait until the cataract is "ripe." If you are having difficulty with your activities of daily living and your eye surgeon feels you have a significant cataract, then most insurances (including Medicare) will cover the procedure and the standard intraocular lens that is used to replace the cataract.

Probably the most important decision someone who is considering any eye surgery must make is what surgeon to choose. For this purpose, I have created a report for my cataract patients to help them in choosing a surgeon. The document can be viewed by clicking this link:

http://www.sgveye.com/resources/35-about-your-eyes/233-10-things-you-must-know-before-choosing-your-cataract-surgeon

The advice in this document can be applied to choosing any surgeon in any specialty, not just cataract surgeons.

Answer 3

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