What Are Signs That Cataracts Are Developing

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What Are Signs That
Cataracts Are Developing?
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As the body ages, the eyes age right along with
it. For people 40 years and older, the risk of
developing cataracts increases with each passing
year. Cataracts appear when the lens of your eye
starts to become discolored, causing your vision
to become cloudy. Read on as a Hackensack, NJ
optometrist talks about cataracts, how they
develop, whos most at risk, and the importance
of early treatment.
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How Do Cataracts Develop?
With aging comes a breakdown of the materials and
structures that make up the eyes. The lens, which
sits behind your iris or the colored part of the
eye, focuses incoming light and directs it onto
the retina. Cataracts are a condition where the
lens becomes cloudy. Your eye consists mainly
of protein and water, which is supposed to allow
light to pass through the lens. As your eyes age,
this protein-water mix can start to clump
together and clouds the lens. As the lens becomes
more cloudy, your vision becomes less clear.
Aging can also cause the lens to harden, making
it less flexible. This, too, can contribute to
cloudy vision.
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Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts to Watch for

• Since cataracts usually develop gradually, it can
  be hard to spot symptoms during the early stages.
  In fact, its not uncommon for someone to adjust
  their lifestyle to accommodate the subtle changes
  in vision that occur. For these reasons, it helps
  to know the early signs and symptoms of
  cataracts.
• Here are a few to keep a lookout for
• Colors appear faded
• Clouded, dim, or blurred vision
• Difficulty driving at night
• Seeing halos around lights
• Light and glare sensitivity
• Double vision
• Blurriness
• Needing a brighter light for reading and other
  close-up activities
• Frequent changes in your eyeglass or contact lens
  prescription

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Cataract Risk Factors

• Diabetics
• People of African descent
• People of Hispanic descent
• Pre-existing eye conditions
• Eye trauma
• A family history of cataracts
• Smokers
• Drinkers

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Cataract Treatment

• The severity and complexity of your condition
  will determine the type of cataract treatment
  youll require. First off, an optometrist will
  conduct a series of eye tests to assess the
  condition of your eyes. The types of tests
  administered may include
• Visual acuity test
• Slit-lamp exams
• Retinal evaluations
• While surgical removal is the standard method for
  eliminating cataracts, other less-invasive forms
  of treatment may improve your vision if this
  condition is caught in the early stages.
• If you have more questions or wish to schedule a
  consultation, feel free to call our Hackensack,
  NJ optometry office today.

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signs-that-cataracts-are-developing/