Cataract (patient information)
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What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Cataracts are very common in older people, as most cataracts are related to aging. Rarely, cataracts may be present at or shortly after birth.
A cataract can occur in either or both eyes, but it cannot spread from one eye to the other.
What are the symptoms of a cataract?
What are the causes of a cataract?
In many cases, the cause of cataract development is unknown. Adult cataracts usually develop very gradually with advancing age and may run in families. They develop slowly and painlessly, and vision in the affected eye or eyes slowly gets worse.
Cataracts develop more quickly if there are some environmental factors, such as smoking, exposure to other toxic substances, and exposure to excessive ultraviolet light or sunlight. They may develop at any time after an eye injury. Diseases such as diabetes also greatly increase the risk for cataracts. Certain medications, such as cortisone, can also speed up cataract formation.
Factors that may contribute to cataract development are:
- Diseases that cause inflammation or affect metabolism
- Eye injury
- Family history
- Long-term use of corticosteroids or certain other medications
- Radiation exposure
- Smoking
- Too much exposure to ultraviolet light (sunlight)
Who is at risk for a cataract?
By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.
How to know you have a cataract?
When to seek urgent medical care
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for a cataract
Directions to Hospitals Treating a cataract
Prevention of a cataract
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)
Sources
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001001.htm