Cataracts Overview

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are a gradual clouding of the clear lens in your eye, affecting light passage to your retina resulting in a cloudy image sent to your brain. Initially, cataracts develop slowly without pain, but can eventually impair your vision. Our specialists at Northwest Eye Center will discuss your treatment options as cataracts progress.

What Causes Cataracts?

Cataracts can be caused by:

• Accidents or injuries
• Aging
• Birth defects
• Environmental factors
• Diseases
• Toxic chemicals
• Medications
• Exposure to ultraviolet light
• Smoking

What Are The Symptoms Of Cataracts?

Common symptoms include:

• Blurred or cloudy vision
• Frequent prescription changes
• Double vision in one eye
• Difficulty with night vision
• Poor vision in bright light
• Seeing halos around lights
• Yellowish-tinged vision

What are the types of Cataracts?

Nuclear Sclerotic Cataracts:

• The most common type of cataract “Nuclear sclerotic” because they begin in the nucleus, the center of the lens naturally hardens with advancing age
• Age is the biggest risk factor, as well as smoking
• Nuclear sclerosis causes increased nearsightedness as time goes on

Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts

• Cataract that forms on back surface (posterior) part of the lens, inside the capsule that supports it
• If you have diabetes, high myopia, use steroids or are exposed to radiation, you are at greater risk of this type of cataract
• Causes much faster deterioration than other types of cataracts, can affect your reading vision, can cause glare or halos around lights at night

Cortical Cataracts

• Cataract that affects the outer layer of the natural lens, or cortex, and causes it to become opaque
• As it grows, it causes scattering of light, glare, halos, poor night vision, and blurred vision