cataract

Cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. For people who have cataracts, seeing through cloudy lenses is a bit like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. The lens is made up of approximately 35% protein and 65% water. As people age, degenerative changes in the lens's proteins occur. Over time these changes cause clouding of the lens, making images look blurred or fuzzy. Most cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are very common in older people. Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 40 and the principal cause of blindness in the world. Cataract surgery improves vision in up to 90% of patients.

Risk factors and Causes
• Aging
• Medical condition such as diabetes, hypocalcemia, galactosemia, atopic dermatitis, down syndrome
• Ocular diseases: Glaucoma, Uveitis, Retinal detachment
• Ocular Trauma
• Family history (genetics)
• Use of some medications, such as Corticosteroids, Phenothiazine, Amiodarone
• Prior ocular surgery
• Being born with cataracts. Some children are born with the condition; divided into Congenital or Adventitious.
• Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, such as from sunlight especially without sunglasses that protect your eyes from damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays
• Previous eye injury or inflammation
• Previous eye surgery
• Hypertension

• Improvement of near vision 

• Loss of ability to discern colors (Fading or yellowing of colors)

• Double vision in one eye

• Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses

• Glare: Headlights, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright. A halo may appear around lights. 

• Cloudy or blurry vision

• Not being able to see well at night

• Poor vision in sunlight

• Having trouble seeing well at night

Cataract needs to be removed only when vision loss interferes with your everyday activities, such as driving, reading, or watching TV. Surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Cataract removal is one of the most common operations performed. It also is one of the safest and most effective types of surgery. In about 90 percent of cases, people who have cataract surgery have better vision afterward but doctors agree that there are
strategies you can use to help reduce your risk of cataracts and maintain overall eye health, such as: 

•  Take a good multivitamin: Doctors demonstrated that those taking multivitamins, especially those with high concentrations of antioxidants, lutein, vitamin E and C decreased risk of developing cataracts. Extensive studies found that older women who had the highest levels of lutein (15–30 mg) were about a third less likely to have cataracts and those taking multivitamins, especially those with high concentrations of antioxidants, had a 27 percent decreased risk of developing cataracts. Shahre daru pharmaceutical company produces Oftavit® to protect your eyes from getting cataract.
•  Protect your eyes from the Ultraviolet light (UV) by wearing sunglasses.
•  Keep your disease like diabetes under control which can speed up the formation of cataracts, so if you have a medical condition, it is important to follow your treatment plans for any diagnosed conditions.
•  Having a healthy lifestyle such as quit smoking, eat a balanced diet and avoid alcohol use. 
•  You should get regular eye exams as you get older.