Cataract Causes and Risk Factors: What You Need to Know

Even though half of all Americans over age 65 experience the symptoms associated with a cataract, causes of this condition still remain a mystery to the medical community. Research indicates that a cataract forms as the result of protein buildup in the eye, but just what causes cataract protein to form is unknown.

There are, however, several factors that may contribute to the development of cataracts, including:

Cataract symptoms include blurry vision, double vision, sudden nearsightedness, a severe reaction to glare while driving, and a need for more light while reading. If you experience any of these, you may want to see your ophthalmologist. Through basic, routine vision tests and by examining your pupils while dilated, your doctor will test the health of your retina and optic nerve while looking for cataracts. Many eye health experts will measure eye pressure and test for glaucoma at the same time to rule out the presence of this condition as well.

If you have early cataract symptoms that don't impair regular activity, treatment may merely involve changing your eyeglass prescription. If your vision is severely limiting your ability to work, go to school, drive, or play sports, your doctor may suggest cataract surgery, a relatively painless outpatient procedure that involves removing your cloudy lens and replacing it with a new artificial lens. Most patients resume normal activities, including driving, within one or two days.

Just as cataract causes remain a mystery, so do preventative measures for this condition. Improving your overall eye health may stave off eye problems, including cataracts, and diets rich in vitamins and antioxidant nutrients, like lutein and glutathione, can help you do this. Implementing this diet, along with wearing sunglasses outside and quitting smoking may be the best plan for preventing cataract causes.