Cataracts

Cataracts are the clouding of the lens of the eye, an area that is normally clear. This clouding prevents light rays from passing through the lens and focusing on the retina. The retina is a tissue lining that is sensitive to light. It is located in the back of the eye. This cloudiness happens when some of the protein that makes up the lens of the eye begins to change its structure.

In its early stages, a cataract may not cause a problem. The cloudiness may affect only a small part of the lens. However, the cataract may grow larger over time and affect more of the lens. This can make it harder for you to see. If less light reaches the retina, it becomes even more challenging to see. Your vision may become dull and blurry. Cataracts cannot spread from one eye to another. Many people do, however, get cataracts in both eyes.

Types of Cataracts

Age-related cataracts: The majority of cataracts are related to aging.

Congenital cataracts: Some babies are born with cataracts. Some children develop them in childhood, often in both eyes. Some congenital cataracts do not affect eyesight, but others do and need to be removed.

Secondary cataracts: Secondary cataracts usually happen because of another disease in the body (such as diabetes). Secondary cataracts have also been linked to steroid use.

Traumatic cataracts:  An injury to one or both eyes may cause you to develop a traumatic cataract. This can happen either right after the accident or several years later.

Causes

Although experts don’t know for sure what causes cataracts, they think there could be several possible causes including:

• Smoking

• Diabetes

• Too much time in sunlight

• Steroid use

• Certain Diuretic use

• Certain major tranquilizers

For many of the possible causes, more research is needed to set apart the effect of the disease from the effect of the medicines.