Age and Vision: The Connection Between Aging and Cataracts

Life has a pattern, and you are all living and following that pattern. When you are younger and full of energy, you try to make the most of it and do things that you like. But with age, things get complicated, and your body goes through various changes. As you grow older, you see and experience weakness or malfunctions in different organs of the body, which restrict your movement, vision, hearing, and also your confidence to do things.

One of the most common eye problems that older adults face is cataracts. Every three out of five adults experience poor vision due to the condition of cataracts. Therefore, it is important that you educate yourself about it so that you can identify the issue and get corrective measures to resolve the problem. In this article, you will explore the various aspects of cataracts and how you can deal with them positively. So, without further ado, scroll down to read further.

Understand What is Cataract?

Cataracts is one of the most common conditions that any adult can experience in their lifetime. In this condition there is a clouding of lens in the eye which results in decreased clarity of vision. The clouding occurs in the lens which is placed right behind the iris (the colored part of the eye) which is basically responsible for focusing light into the retina, which helps you to have a clear sight. When there is a cloud-like formation in the eye, it leads to a lack of vision, blurriness, and a lack of recognizing colors. 

What is the Connection Between Aging and Cataracts?

As studies show, the average age for cataracts is about 40 years. Older adults can experience a lack of vision clarity from the age of 40, however, people might now understand the severity by the age of 60 years. Cataract is primarily associated with aging as the protein in the lens of the eyes can begin to clump together, which causes the lens to become cloudy. If you keep ignoring the issue due to a lack of understanding, then the cloudiness tends to increase over time and cause the condition called cataract.

Average Age for Cataract Formation

As you read, most people start to get affected by the condition in their forties. However, the condition may not significantly affect the vision until the sixties or even later. According to some research, it has been stated that by the age of 80 more than half the Americans have either had the surgery for cataracts or are suffering from it. But it is not necessary that only older adults can get cataracts. Yes, the condition is related to aging, but even young people can experience the same symptoms.

Common Symptoms for Cataract

If you have understood cataracts so far, you now understand that they are a slow-developing condition and that you can’t recognize its symptoms instantly. But that doesn’t mean you should not be aware of them. Check the list of cataract symptoms below.

1. Seeing halos around the light
2. Double vision from one eye
3. Lack of vision clarity at night
4. Frequent changes in contact lens or eyeglass prescription
5. Colors appear faded or yellowish
6. Become sensitive to light or glare
7. Blurry or clouded vision

If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, please visit an eye specialist as soon as possible.

What are Other Risks Associated with Cataracts?

While most people associate aging with cataracts, there are several other risk factors that can lead to this condition.

1. Medication: Certain steroids, if used for a prolonged period, can lead to an increased risk of cataracts.
2. Prolonged UV Exposure: Many of you are aware that UV rays damage your eyes. If you work in the field or outdoors, you are at risk of developing cataracts.
3. Eye injury: if you’ve ever experienced inflammation or an eye injury in the past, it must have caused some damage to your eye, leading to cataracts.
4. Genetics: Some people may have a family history of cataracts, which means they are genetically at risk of getting cataracts.
5. Consuming alcohol and smoking: If you drink or smoke too much it will only accelerate your risk of getting succumbed to cataracts.
6. Diabetes: People who suffer from diabetes are at a higher risk of getting cataracts as it is a condition that makes your body resist insulin, affecting its overall functions.

How Can You Maintain a Healthy Vision as You Age?

While it is difficult to prevent cataracts that come with aging, there are certain things that you can do to prevent your eyes from being affected by cataracts. Here’s a list of things that you should do to protect your eyesight.

1. Get your eyes regularly examined: With the increased exposure to mobile and laptops, you must take care of your eyes. The blue light from your mobiles, laptops and television screens can affect your eyesight. Thus, you must visit your eye specialist to monitor your eye condition.
2. Eat a Healthy diet: The body functions based on the nutrition you get. Therefore, eating a diet that includes fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and E are a must. They provide the necessary vitamins and nutrients that will keep your eyesight healthy. Leafy green vegetables, juicy fruits and proteins like chicken and fish are necessary to get all necessary values from your food.
3. Wear protective Eyewears: If you work in the field or even just spend more time outside in the sun, make sure you wear protective eyewear. Even while using or watching any screen, you can wear blue-light protective eyeglasses to limit the impact of light that affects your eyesight.
4. Manage Your Health and Lifestyle: Limit yourself from consuming alcohol and smoking, as they can impact your body negatively. Along with that, you must monitor your health conditions, such as diabetes and other conditions that put you at risk of cataracts.

If cataracts are affecting your lifestyle or health, maybe it’s time to get help from a good eye specialist who can guide you through the process of surgery. You and your doctor can sit and decide when is the right time to get surgery. The downtime after a cataract surgery is the bare minimum. In several cases, the surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis, which means you can go home the same day.

Aging is a natural process, and with it comes challenges that you might have to face. Being prepared to face these challenges is best so that you can seek help in time. Now that you know the possible challenges and aid to cataracts, do not waste time if you experience any symptoms and seek help immediately.