In recognition of August as "National Cataract Awareness Month," Vickie Chapman, Nurse Practitioner at Belgrade Regional Health Center, reminds us about

“The Cloudiness of Cataracts”

Have you ever wondered where some of the words we use today came from? The term “cataract” has an interesting origin. It comes from the Latin word cataracta meaning “waterfall.” Due to rapidly running water of a waterfall turning white, the term became symbolically used to describe the similar appearance of progressive cataracts and the clouded vision that accompanies the disease.

What is a Cataract?
A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s normally clear lens, which may block the passage of light needed for vision. No pain or vision loss is usually experienced in the early stages of this disease. Cataracts do not always lead to vision loss, but some may grow and greatly affect how you see.

Who Develops Cataracts?
Anyone is susceptible to cataracts, and risk increases with age. Twenty and a half million Americans over the age of 40 have a cataract. Your chance for developing a cataract increases after age 65.

Risk Factors

• Diabetes
  
• Family history of cataracts
  
• Previous eye injury
  
• Previous eye surgery
  
• Prolonged use of corticosteroids
  
• Excessive exposure to sunlight
  
• Use of tobacco products
  

Signs and Symptoms
A cataract usually develops with little warning or pain. Any cloudiness may begin by affecting only a small part of the lens which can go by unnoticed. Over time, however, if the cataract continues to grow, more signs and symptoms will occur. The following are a few key symptoms of cataracts:

• Clouded or blurred vision
  
• Increasingly poor night vision
  
• Increased sensitivity to light
  
• Halos around light
  
• Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions
  
• Fading or yellowing of colors
  
• Double vision in a single eye
  

Treatment
Surgery is the only effective treatment for a cataract. This involves replacement of the clouded lens with a clear lens implant. In some cases, after cataract removal, vision may be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Cataracts cannot be cured with medications, dietary supplements, exercise or optical devices.

During the early stages of a cataract when symptoms are mild, a good understanding of the condition and willingness to adjust your lifestyle can help. Improving the lighting in your home or using a magnifying glass to read may help you deal with the effects of having a cataract.

Prevention
Although most cataracts will occur with age and cannot be avoided, there are a few things you can do to help decrease your chances of developing one: Avoid tobacco products, Eat a balanced diet, Protect yourself from the sun, and Take care of other health problems such as diabetes.

It is also important for everyone to have their eyes checked regularly, especially those with diabetes. It is recommended that patients suffering from diabetes see the eye doctor at least once a year.

Sources:
1. The National Health Observances http://www.healthfinder.gov/library/nho/nho.asp
2. Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com
3. http://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/cataract