Cataract Awareness Month was established in 1908 when a community of doctors realized that 30% of cases of blindness in children were highly preventable or treatable, but no actions were being taken. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that around 30 million Americans suffer from cataracts. This figure is projected to grow to 39 million by 2032. This is alarming because cataracts are highly treatable, yet people continue to suffer through them due to a lack of knowledg
Cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens that blocks or changes the passage of light into the eye.
According to the National Eye Institute, although there may be no early symptoms, patients may begin to notice:
- cloudy or blurry vision
- colors that look faded
- difficulty seeing at night
- lamps, sunlight, or headlights appearing too bright
- a halo around lights
- seeing double (this sometimes goes away as the cataract gets bigger)
- frequent changes to the prescription of eyeglasses or contact lenses
The goal of the awareness campaign promotes information about the eye condition that is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. While this is a scary fact, fret not because cataracts are treatable with a simple surgery procedure, which has a 95% success rate. This common eye condition mostly affects people over 40, developing slowly over time. However, severe vision impairment doesn’t usually happen until 60 or above. The causes for cataracts can range from diabetes, long-term eye diseases, and eye injury/inflammation, to factors like intense heat, hereditary influences, smoking, intake of certain oral steroids, and so forth.
Unlike many of the other major eye diseases, such as glaucoma or diabetes-related eye disease, cataracts can be easily and painlessly treated by surgery to remove and replace the eye’s lens, restoring sight for most patients. If you have any concerns about your vision, be sure to work with an eye care professional to understand your symptoms and diagnosis and the best available treatment options.
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- National Eye Institute
- National Today
- Prevent Blindness
