Keep your eye out for an enlarging cataract

Just about everyone I know has either had cataract surgery or is contemplating it. That’s because it’s incredibly common in older adults. “In fact,” the National Eye Institute says, “more than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to get rid of cataracts.”

A cataract most often starts around middle age and grows slowly before you actually notice that your vision is blurry, hazy or the world is a little less colorful. You might notice it’s harder to read, drive at night, see objects in the distance, or tell the difference between blue and black socks.

Although most cataracts are age-related due to changes in the lens of the eye, there are other factors such as diabetes, drugs such as corticosteroids, ultraviolet radiation exposure, smoking and alcohol use, nutrition deficiency and family history.

“Rarely, cataracts are present at birth or develop shortly after. They may be inherited or develop due to an infection (such as rubella) in the mother during pregnancy,” the American Optometric Association says. “A cataract may also develop following an eye injury or surgery for another eye problem, such as glaucoma. Usually cataracts develop in both eyes, but one may be worse than the other.”

So exactly what are cataracts? The simple answer is that cataracts occur when the lens in the eye becomes cloudy or opaque. Where in the lens that cloudiness occurs gives cataracts their specific names.

AOA explains that the lens has layers, not unlike an onion. A nuclear cataract is located at the very center of the lens. “The nucleus tends to darken with age, changing from clear to yellow and sometimes brown.”

A cortical cataract occurs in the layer around the nucleus and looks like a wedge or spoke. And a posterior capsular cataract is found in the back outer layer of the lens. This one often develops more quickly than the other types.

Testing for cataracts is a common part of a regular eye exam which one should have at least once every two years. The eyecare professional will dilate your eyes so he or she can see the back of the eye. “Using the slit lamp, an ophthalmoscope or both, the doctor looks for signs of cataract. Your doctor will also look for glaucoma, and examine the retina and optic nerve,” the American Academy of Ophthalmology explains.

Unfortunately, doctors can’t predict how quickly cataracts will grow. However, you can slow the progression. “Protecting your eyes from sunlight is the best way to do this,” AAO says. “Wear sunglasses that screen out the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light rays. You may also wear regular eyeglasses that have a clear, anti-UV coating.”

NEI says that wearing eye protection from UV rays might also help prevent cataracts. Other prevention tips include protecting your eyes from injury, quitting smoking and making eye-healthy food choices.

“Researchers have linked eye-friendly nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc to reducing the risk of certain eye diseases, including cataracts,” AOA says.

Cataract treatment is based on how much impairment one has. Cataracts can progress very slowly. Sometimes you need only change eyeglass prescription to see better. Surgery is needed when the cataract affects your normal everyday tasks.

AAO explains that “during cataract surgery, your eye surgeon will remove your eye’s cloudy natural lens. Then he or she will replace it with an artificial lens. This new lens is called an intraocular lens.”

I won’t go into detail about how they actually do the surgery, but I will tell you that you are awake during the procedure and there is no discomfort. The worst part is putting drops in your eyes beforehand and keeping them dry for a few days afterward. Wearing swimming goggles in the shower may seem peculiar but was very effective for a friend of mine.

Remember that cataracts are a very common reason people lose their vision. That’s a shame because treatment is relatively simple, and the cost is covered by Medicare and most independent insurance companies.

You and your eye doctor can decide when you’re ready for cataract surgery. Bonner General Ophthalmology Clinic’s phone number is 208-265-1011. Call them for more information.

Kathy Hubbard is a member of Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Council. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.