Many don't know that cataracts affect over 20.5 million Americans over the age of 40. In reality, more than half of senior citizens have some degree of cataract development.

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens. This prohibits the passage of light needed for vision.

Symptoms of cataracts

Often adults attribute loss of sight with age however cataracts do present some signs that are different from normal age-related eyesight loss. Depending on the type of cataract, symptoms include hazy vision, increased glare from sun light or artificial light or a decrease in the brightness of color. Some cataracts show no signs until they are well developed while others may even result in a short-lived improvement in near vision known as ''second sight''.

The term cataract comes from the Latin cataracta which means ''waterfall''. This may be because the appearance of white opacities in the lens resembles the white cloudy rapids seen in a waterfall. Cataracts that develop as a result of aging usually are characterized by an initial cloudiness in the lens, followed by swelling and shrinkage of the lens leading to eventual blindness.

Preventing and Treating Cataracts

There is little you can do to prevent cataracts, other than protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays by wearing sunglasses. Some studies indicate that taking antioxidants and reduced consumption of salt can also play a role in prevention.

Although early vision loss can be treated with vision correction such as eyeglasses or magnifying devices, at some point eyesight may be impaired enough to require surgical treatment. Surgery for cataracts is in fact the most frequently performed surgery in the country and is usually quite successful. Generally, the surgeon removes the clouded lens and implants a clear plastic lens called an IOL (intraocular lens). For 90% of patients, nearly perfect vision is achieved.

If you are 40 or over you should schedule an annual eye exam to detect signs of vision diseases such as cataracts. Contact our Kearney, NE eye practice today to schedule your exam.