Description
Clouding of the lens of the eye. Normally, light that enters the eye passes through a clear lens and falls on the retina, in the back of the eye. When the lens is clouded, this decreases vision. Most cataracts develop slowly as one gets older. Trauma to the eye and congenital abnormalities can cause the cataract to form more quickly. The following conditions can increase the likelihood of developing a cataract: smoking, steroid medications, diabetes, high blood pressure, alcoholism, exposure to sunlight without wearing glasses, obesity, previous eye injury or eye disease, and a family history of cataracts.
Symptoms
The symptoms typically appear slowly and include: decreased vision, cloudy vision, sensitivity to bright light, problems seeing colors, difficulty seeing at night, or seeing double in one eye.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be done. A visual acuity test will demonstrate deceased vision. The provider will do a slit lamp exam which magnifies the eye and allows the examiner to look inside the eye and see the clouded lens. The pupil of the eye may be dilated as well for better visualization.
Specialists:
Ophthalmology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be done. A visual acuity test will demonstrate deceased vision. The provider will do a slit lamp exam which magnifies the eye and allows the examiner to look inside the eye and see the clouded lens. The pupil of the eye may be dilated as well for better visualization.
Specialists:
Ophthalmology
Treatment
Surgery is required to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a replacement lens. Rarely the lens is removed and a replacement lens cannot be inserted requiring a contact lens or pair of glasses to improve the eyesight.