The retina is a layer that lines the back wall of the eye and is made up of nerve cells. When the lens of the eye focuses the incoming light onto the retina through clear tissues, the light gets converted into nerve signals that present information to the brain. A cataract is a condition when the clear tissue of the lens of the eye gets clouded. It is a common disorder that is a part of aging but, more often than not, benefits from treatment.

Here are some symptoms and signs of the condition:

Symptoms of Cataracts

Usually, a cataract starts with a small area of the lens getting clouded. It renders a part of the vision blurry. With time, it grows bigger and can make the overall vision of the eye dull or blurred. Other than the blurriness, the vision may also experience some changes in its color tones, and you may notice a brownish or yellowish cast. If left untreated, it can hinder the eye’s ability to distinguish between different colors, especially shades of purple and blue.

Some other symptoms of cataracts include:

l Frequent changes to your contacts prescription

l Double vision

l Halos around lights

l Sensitivity towards strong lights, including sunlight 

l Poor night vision

Causes of Cataracts

The lens contains water and protein that are arranged in a specific order to keep the lens clear. When the proteins start to clump together, they start to cloud the vision. Some direct and indirect causes of cataracts include:

l Corticosteroid drugs

l Smoking

l Eye surgery

l Eye inflammation or injury

l Diabetes

l Excessive sunlight exposure

l Old age

l Excessive alcohol consumption

l Radiation treatments

l High blood pressure

l Genetics

Although rare, there are cases of people developing cataracts during childhood or being born with them. Trauma and some uterus infections can also cause a cataract.

Diagnosis

There is a variety of vision and eye tests that ophthalmologists and optometrists use to diagnose cataracts. Dilating the pupils of the eye with a few drops of liquid allows an eye doctor to examine the structure of the interior of your eye clearly. Some common eye exams used to perform a cataract diagnosis are:

l Retinal exam

l Slit-lamp exam

l Visual acuity test

Treatment of Cataracts

The only solution for a complete reversal of a cataract is surgery that replaces your eye lens with an artificial one. However, surgery is not necessary after the diagnosis, and factors, such as the level of the condition and your general health, are taken into account before a decision is made. There are no medications to reverse or slow cataract development. However, there are a few steps you can take to slow the spread of the disorder. They are:

l Using magnifying devices to perform certain tasks

l Using brighter lights

l Wearing anti-glare sunglasses

l Keeping your contacts prescription up-to-date

Cataracts can develop in both eyes simultaneously or in one eye at a time. Cataracts grow worse as they progress and can affect daily activities. It is important to visit an eye specialist as soon as you notice signs or symptoms related to the condition.