Age-related Cataract

An age-related cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision, typically occurring in people over the age of 60. It is one of the most common causes of vision loss in older adults.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Aging: The risk of developing cataracts increases with age, as the lens in the eye becomes less flexible and more prone to clouding.
• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation: Prolonged exposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds may contribute to the development of cataracts.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes are at higher risk of developing cataracts, possibly due to high blood sugar levels damaging the lens in the eye.
• Hypertension: High blood pressure may increase the risk of developing cataracts.
• Smoking: Smoking has been linked to an increased risk of cataract development.

Symptoms

• Blurred or cloudy vision
• Double vision or ghosting
• Sensitivity to light and glare
• Fading or yellowing of colors
• Difficulty seeing at night or in low light

Types of Age-related Cataracts

• Nuclear cataract: Affects the center of the lens, causing vision to become blurry and distorted.
• Cortical cataract: Affects the outer layer of the lens, causing spoke-like opacities that can lead to blurred vision.
• Posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC): Affects the back of the lens, causing glare and halos around lights.

Diagnosis

Age-related cataracts are typically diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam, which may include:

• Visual acuity test: Measures the sharpness of vision.
• Slit-lamp examination: Uses a specialized microscope to examine the lens and other structures in the eye.
• Retinoscopy: Measures the curvature of the cornea and the length of the eye.

Treatment

The primary treatment for age-related cataracts is surgery, which involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).

• Phacoemulsification: A minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses ultrasonic waves to break up and remove the cloudy lens.
• Extracapsular cataract extraction: A surgical procedure that removes the cloudy lens in one piece.

Prevention

While age-related cataracts cannot be completely prevented, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of developing them:

• Wearing sunglasses with UV protection to reduce exposure to UV radiation.
• Not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke.
• Maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids.