What are cataracts?

The clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy and causes blurred vision known as a cataract. Cataracts develop usually at the later stage of life. The cloudy lens can be replaced with a clear artificial lens and it is a minor outpatient procedure. 

What are the causes of cataracts?

A cataract is caused due to building up of protein in the lens of an eye and hence make it cloudy and blurred. The different causes of cataracts are:

• Age-related
• Congenital
• Secondary causes such as diabetes, UV light, etc
• Trauma or injury
• Smoking
• Heavy drinking 

How are cataracts diagnosed?

The eye doctor will conduct a test to examine the function of the eye. The doctor will also dilate the pupil to check the lens and other parts of the eye. The patient is asked to get glasses or contact lenses for the appointment.

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

• Cloudy, blurry, foggy, or filmy vision
• Nearsightedness
• Change in the color
• Difficulty driving at night
• Glare problem in the day
• Double vision
• Specs and contact lens not working properly

How is cataract treated?

• If the vision can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, then the doctor will give the prescription to the patient.
• If the problem cannot be solved by glasses and contact lenses, then cataract surgery may be needed.
• The cataract surgery is done as an outpatient so the patient can go home on the same day of the surgery or the day after.
• The surgeon removes the damaged lens and replaces it with an artificial lens. The success rate of this surgery is 95%. 

How can cataracts be prevented?

There is no proven way to prevent cataract as there are no specific causes.