Posted by: Focal Point Vision in Uncategorized
Are you experiencing blurry or cloudy vision that seems to be worsening over time? Do colors appear faded or yellowed?
These symptoms could indicate cataracts, one of the most common eye conditions affecting older Americans. Understanding what causes cataracts is the first step toward preserving your vision and maintaining your eye health.
Keep reading to learn more about what causes cataracts and what treatments are available to help improve your vision.
What Are Cataracts?
Before diving into the causes, it’s essential to understand what cataracts actually are. The natural lens of your eye is usually clear, allowing light to pass through to your retina, creating the images you see.
A cataract occurs when proteins in the lens break down and clump together, creating cloudy areas that block or scatter light as it tries to pass through. Think of it like looking through a foggy car windshield.
Everything appears hazy, colors seem washed out, and details become difficult to distinguish. As the cataract develops, the cloudy patch grows denser and larger, progressively impairing your vision.
What Causes Cataracts?
There are multiple causes of cataracts, including:
Age-Related Changes
The most common cause of cataracts is the natural aging process. After age 40, the proteins in your eye’s lens begin to degrade and can start clumping together.
By age 65, the majority of people have at least some cataract development, even if they haven’t noticed vision changes yet. This age-related deterioration happens because, over time, the lens becomes less flexible, less transparent, and thicker.
The tissue within the lens changes, with proteins breaking down and clustering in ways that cloud your vision.
Genetic Factors
Some people have a genetic predisposition to developing cataracts. If your parents or siblings developed cataracts at an early age, you may be at higher risk.
Certain genetic disorders can also increase your likelihood of developing cataracts prematurely.
Medical Conditions
Several health conditions significantly increase your risk of developing cataracts:
Diabetes
People with diabetes face a substantially higher risk of developing cataracts at a younger age. High blood sugar levels can cause changes to the lens proteins and fluid balance within the eye, accelerating cataract formation.
Hypertension
High blood pressure can increase pressure within the eye and affect the delicate blood vessels that nourish the lens, potentially contributing to the development of cataracts.
Obesity
Research has linked excess weight to an increased risk of cataracts, possibly due to heightened oxidative stress throughout the body.
Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disorders
Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, which cause chronic inflammation throughout the body, may accelerate cataract formation.
Environmental Factors and Lifestyle Choices
Many external factors can influence cataract development:
UV Radiation Exposure
Prolonged, unprotected exposure to sunlight increases your risk of cataracts. The UV rays from the sun can damage lens proteins and accelerate their breakdown.
Smoking
Tobacco use increases oxidative stress in the lens of the eye, roughly doubling your risk of developing cataracts compared to non-smokers.
Alcohol Consumption
Heavy drinking has been linked to increased cataract risk, though moderate consumption hasn’t been shown to have the same effect.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Diets low in antioxidants, particularly vitamins C and E, may increase vulnerability to cataract formation as these nutrients help protect the lens from oxidative damage.
Medications and Treatments
Certain medications can accelerate cataract development:
Corticosteroids
Long-term use of oral steroids or even steroid eye drops can increase cataract risk substantially.
Statin Medications
Some studies suggest that cholesterol-lowering medications may slightly increase the risk of cataracts, although the overall health benefits typically outweigh this risk.
Certain Psychiatric Medications
Some antipsychotic medications have been associated with an increased risk of early cataract formation.
Radiation Therapy
Treatments that involve radiation to the head or neck region can increase the likelihood of cataract development.
Eye Trauma and Previous Eye Surgery
Physical injury to the eye can damage the lens and lead to traumatic cataracts, sometimes years after the initial injury. Previous eye surgeries for other conditions can also increase your risk, as they may change the internal environment of the eye or directly affect the lens.
Congenital Cataracts
Some infants are born with cataracts or develop them during childhood. These congenital cataracts may be due to:
- Genetic mutations
- Maternal infections during pregnancy (like rubella)
- Metabolic disorders
- Trauma during birth
Secondary Cataracts
Sometimes called posterior capsule opacification, these aren’t true cataracts but rather a clouding of the membrane that holds the intraocular lens (IOL) after cataract surgery. They can develop months or years after successful cataract removal.
Risk Factors You Can Control
While some causes of cataracts are unavoidable, others can be managed to reduce your risk:
- Wear UV-blocking sunglasses when outdoors
- Quit smoking
- Manage diabetes and other chronic health conditions
- Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise
- Eat a nutrient-rich diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Limit alcohol consumption
How are Cataracts Treated?
At Focal Point Vision, our board-certified ophthalmologists develop highly customized treatment plans for individuals with cataracts. Modern cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective surgical procedures performed today.
During this outpatient procedure, your cataract surgeon will remove the clouded natural lens and replace it with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). Based on your unique vision needs, we offer different IOLs to address your cataract in conjunction with any refractive errors you may have.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that might indicate cataracts, or if you’re over 60 and haven’t had a comprehensive eye exam recently, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our team. Early detection allows for better monitoring and timely intervention when needed, ensuring you enjoy crisp, clear vision.
Schedule an appointment at Focal Point Vision in San Antonio, TX, today!
