Cataracts are opacities of the lens of the eye and can lead to painless and progressive loss of visual acuity.

Cataracts are the most common cause of impaired vision and blindness in North America. They affect about 10% of the general adult population and affect females and males equally. They are particularly prevalent in the over 65 years of age population. Over 2.5 million people in Canada suffer from cataracts to varying degrees.

Blurred and dimmed vision are often the first symptoms of cataracts. Double vision, frequent change in eye glass prescription and need for brighter reading light are often early symptoms. As the disease progresses, vision may become progressively worse until blindness sets in. Appropriate therapy, including surgery, may be necessary.

The exact cause of cataracts is unknown. Many different factors contribute to the development of cataracts. They may be due to eye injuries, trauma, surgery, diabetes and other diseases. Over-exposure or prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays from sunshine has been implicated as a cause of cataracts. Ultraviolet radiation can damage proteins in the lens of the eye and lead to the formation of cataracts. Excessive consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates has been also implicated in the development of cataracts.

The great majority of cataracts, however, are senile cataracts,........

© Castanet