June is Cataract Awareness Month

A cataract is a condition that affects vision by clouding the lens in an eye. By age 80, more than half of all Americans will either have a cataract or have undergone cataract surgery.

A cataract can occur in one or both eyes, but it cannot spread from one eye to the other.

As we age, protein in our eyes may clump together and begin to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract. A cataract may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it increasingly more difficult to see.

The risk of cataract increases as we age. Other risk factors include:

• Diseases, like diabetes
  
• Personal behavior, such as smoking or alcohol use
  
• Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet sunlight
  

The most common symptoms of a cataract are:

• Cloudy or blurry vision
  
• Colors appear to be faded
  
• Headlights, lamps, or sunlight may seem too bright, or a halo may appear around lights
  
• Poor night vision
  
• Double vision or multiple images in one eye
  
• Frequent prescription changes in eyeglasses or contact lenses
  

These symptoms can be present with other eye problems. It’s very important to see your eye care professional if you experience any of these issues. As you age, take advantage of free eye checks, which are often available seasonally in many communities.