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What Flashes May Mean About Your Eye Health

Are you wondering why you see little flashes of light? The light show could actually be coming from inside your eyes. Flashes can be a sign of a serious vision problem, but are usually a harmless sign of aging.
 

What Are Flashes?

Flashes only appear for seconds at a time and may look like lightning bolts, streaks, stars, or tiny pinpoints of light. Although flashes are most noticeable when it's dark, they can appear at any time. Flashes often appear along with floaters. Floaters may look pieces of string, cobwebs, lines, or other shapes.
 

Causes of Flashes

Flashes can be caused by:

• Rubbing Your Eyes. Do you see stars after you rub your eyes? Rubbing your eyes, coughing, and sneezing all stimulate the retina, causing it to produce phosphenes, tiny bursts of light. Phosphenes don't harm your vision or last more than a few seconds.

• Normal Age-related Eye Changes. A clear, gel-like substance called the vitreous humor gives your eyeball its shape. As we age, the vitreous humor starts to shrink and pull away from our retinas, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye. Called posterior vitreous detachment, this condition causes an increase in the number of flashes or floaters you see. More than 80% of people who experience posterior vitreous detachment don't develop any complications, according to the AARP. For some people, posterior vitreous detachment can lead to retinal detachment.

• Retinal Detachment. In some cases, an injury or posterior vitreous detachment can cause the retina to tear or detach from the back of the eye. If this happens, you may see a significant increase in floaters and flashes, develop a dark spot in your vision, or even experience complete loss of vision. If this happens, go to the emergency room immediately. You'll need prompt treatment to reattach and repair your retina to restore your vision.

• Migraines. You might also see flashing lights if you're experiencing a migraine aura. Auras appear about a half-hour to an hour before a migraine starts and can include flashing lights, zigzag lines, colorful lines or shapes, blind spots, blurry vision, temporary loss of vision, slurred speech, and tingling, numbness, or weakness.

• Diabetic Retinopathy. Poorly controlled diabetes can be a factor in diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition that affects the blood vessels in the retina. More than 33% of people over 40 with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Blood vessels in the retina may leak if your blood sugar is too high. New abnormal vessels may also form and leak blood or fluid. Blood and fluid interferes with vision and may cause scar tissue to form. If the scar tissue pulls on the retina, you may see flashes and floaters.

• Macular Degeneration. Scar tissue caused by the wet macular degeneration may also pull on the retina and trigger flashes and floaters. Macular degeneration affects the macula, the center part of the retina responsible for central and color vision.

• Other Causes. You may also see flashes of light if you have a concussion or look at bright lights. Several diseases can cause flashes, including HIV/AIDs, retinitis pigmentosa, cytomegalovirus retinitis, Stickler syndrome, and choroideremia.
   

Although occasional flashes usually don't mean that there's anything wrong with your vision, it's important to call your eye doctor if you notice a significant increase in the flashing lights or see flashes frequently. If an increase in flashers is accompanied by loss of vision, visit the emergency room immediately.

Worried about flashes, floaters, or other vision issues? Get in touch with our office to schedule a visit with the optometrist.
 

Sources:

AARP: What to Know About Eye Floaters and Flashes, 3/11/2019

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2019/understanding-eye-floaters-flashes.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Diabetic Retinopathy

https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/pdf/factsheet.pdf

American Academy of Ophthalmology: Flashes of Light, 1/19/2022

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/symptoms/flashes-of-light

The Ohio State University: Why Do You See Colors When You Close or Rub Your Eyes?, 7/3/2019

https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/why-do-you-see-colors-when-rubbing-your-eye

Are You at Risk for Diabetic Eye Disease?

Diabetes not only increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and nerve damage, but may also affect your eyesight. Unfortunately, many types of diabetic eye diseases only cause symptoms after your vision has already been damaged. Regular visits to the optometrist will help you protect your vision and ensure that you receive prompt treatment if you do develop a potentially sight-stealing disease. Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month in November is the perfect time to schedule your appointment.
 

Who Gets Diabetic Eye Disease?

You're most likely to develop a diabetic eye disease if your blood sugar is often high. You may also experience vision problems if you had diabetes for a long time, even if your blood sugar is well-controlled. Smoking, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol may increase your risk. Diabetic eye diseases affect people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and include diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, glaucoma, and cataracts.
 

Diabetic Retinopathy: High Blood Sugar Affects the Blood Vessels in Your Eye

Diabetic retinopathy causes the blood vessels in your retina to swell and leak and may also be responsible for the formation of new, abnormal blood vessels. The retina is made up of several layers of light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye. Once light reaches the retina, it is converted into electrical impulses and sent to the brain for processing. Leaky or abnormal vessels interfere with your vision and may cause permanent vision loss in some cases. Injections and laser therapy can be helpful in stopping the leaks, while steroids are helpful in reducing swelling.

Symptoms. Symptoms aren't common in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. If the disease isn't diagnosed and treated, you may notice episodes of blurry vision, blind or dark spots, faded colors, difficulty seeing well at night, and floaters (wispy strings or cobwebs that seem to float in front of your eyes).
 

Macular Edema Causes Central Vision Changes

Blood vessels in the macula, the center part of the retina, swell and leak when you have macular edema. Fluid from the leaky blood vessels triggers swelling in the macula, blurring your vision. Abnormal blood vessels can also form scars that may cause permanent vision loss. Macular edema is more likely to occur if you have untreated diabetic retinopathy. Many of the same treatments used to treat diabetic retinopathy are also helpful for macular edema.

Symptoms. In addition to blurry vision, symptoms of macular edema include double vision and an increase in floaters.
 

Glaucoma Slowly Destroys Your Eyesight

People who have diabetes have double the chance of developing glaucoma, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Increasing pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve, which sends light impulses from the eyes to the brain. Damage to the optic nerve is permanent and may cause partial or complete loss of vision. Open-angle glaucoma slowly affects your eyesight, starting with your side vision. Since the changes are gradual, it can be some time before you notice that your field of vision has become smaller. Angle-closure glaucoma happens suddenly and must be treated immediately to prevent permanent loss of vision.

Symptoms. Loss of side vision can occur with open-angle glaucoma, although you probably won't notice any change in your vision in the early stages of the disease. Eye pain, headache, blurry vision, nausea and vomiting are symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma. If you have any of these symptoms, you'll need to visit the emergency room right away.
 

Cataracts Make the World Look Cloudy

Cataracts occur when the clear lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, making it difficult to see clearly, even with glasses or contact lenses. The American Diabetes Association notes that diabetes may change the structure of the lens, causing you to develop cataracts at a younger age than normal.

Symptoms. Symptoms of cataracts include blurry or double vision and difficulty seeing at night or in dim light. If you have cataracts, colors may look faded. Glare and halos around lights may also affect your vision.

Want to reduce your risk of diabetic eye disease? Call our office to make an appointment with your eye doctor.

Sources:

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Diabetic Eye Disease, 5/2017

Prevent Blindness: Eye Diseases and Conditions

American Diabetes Association: Curious About Cataracts?

American Academy of Ophthalmology: Diabetic Eye Disease, 10/14/2021

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Diabetes and Vision Loss, 5/7/2021

Protect Your Eyes for Life

Eye diseases and damage caused by the sun could affect your vision as you get older. Luckily, making a few changes now can help you safeguard your eyesight. Healthy Aging Month in September is the perfect time to try a few of these eye-friendly tips.
 

Keep Your Weight Under Control

Being overweight or obese increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, a disease that affects every part of your body, including your eyes. If diabetes isn't controlled properly, you could develop a condition called diabetic retinopathy. Leaky blood vessels and abnormal new blood vessels in your eyes blur your vision and may cause permanent vision loss when you have diabetic retinopathy.

Extra pounds also raise your risk for developing cataracts. Cataracts occur when the clear lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. The lens helps focus light rays on the retina, the light-sensing cells at the back of the eye.

Researchers who conducted a systematic review published in Optometry and Vision Science discovered that obesity increased the risk of a nuclear cataract by 12%, a cortical cataract by 34% and a posterior subcapsular cataract by 52%. A nuclear cataract forms in the center of the lens, while a posterior subcapsular cataract develops in the back of the lens. Cortical cataracts start as streaks in the outer edges of the lens, then gradually extend inward.
 

Choose Healthy Foods

Although a slice of birthday cake or the occasional handful of potato chips won't hurt your eyes, it's best to limit treats, junk food, fried foods and processed foods. When you shop, fill your grocery cart with whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and poultry, fish, low-fat dairy products and healthy fats.

While you're in the produce aisle, look for kale, carrots, broccoli, spinach, red peppers, sweet potatoes, strawberries and kiwi. These fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and anti-oxidants essential for good eye health.
 

Lower Your Blood Pressure

Uncontrolled high blood pressure eventually damages your blood vessels, including the vessels in the eyes. Called hypertensive retinopathy, the condition can cause blurry or double vision and vision loss.
 

Don't Forget Your Sunglasses

Sunglasses protect your eyes from the damaging effects of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. If you don't wear sunglasses year-round, you may increase your risk of cataracts, skin cancer on your eyelids or around your eyes, growths on the eye and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

AMD affects the macula in the center part of your retina. As the cells in the macular deteriorate, you may notice blurred central vision or blind spots in your vision. AMD is the most common cause of vision loss in people 60 and older, according to the Bright Focus Foundation.

The type of sunglasses you buy can affect your risk of sun-related eye diseases, as some lenses don't offer enough protection from the sun. Check the tag the next time you shop for sunglasses. If the lenses don't block 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB rays, keep shopping.
 

Stop Smoking

Need another reason to quit smoking? The habit can raise your risk of several eye conditions and diseases. People who smoke are more likely to develop dry eye, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, optic nerve issues and uveitis, a painful inflammation that affects the middle layer of the eye, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

If you're a smoker and have diabetes or thyroid disease, you may be at increased risk for diabetic retinopathy or Grave's eye disease.
 

Schedule Annual Visits with Your Eye Doctor

Eye disease can sneak up on you. Unfortunately, by the time you notice a change in your vision, vision loss may be permanent. During your annual visit, your eye doctor looks for subtle changes in your eyes that could be early signs of an eye disease or condition. If you are diagnosed with an eye disease, early treatment could help minimize its effects on your vision.

Ready to schedule an appointment with the optometrist? Contact our office to arrange your visit.

Sources:

Bright Focus Foundation: Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Facts & Figures, 7/13/2021

National Institute on Aging: Aging and Your Eyes, 7/28/2021

Optometry and Vision Science: Overweight, Obesity, and Age-Related Cataract: A Meta-Analysis, 5/2014

American Academy of Ophthalmology: Smoking and Eye Disease, 3/4/2022

American Optometric Association: Senior Vision: Over 60 Years of Age

Approximately 11% of school-aged children have been diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to recent studies. The central symptoms of ADHD -- difficulty sustaining attention, poor control of behavior, hyperactivity -- make it difficult for children to succeed in school. Additionally, parents of kids with ADHD may become frustrated with their behavioral outbursts and difficulty following instructions.

Although the primary treatment for ADHD is stimulant medications such as Adderall or Ritalin, these drugs may not address other problems associated with the disorder. Vision problems are common among kids with ADHD, making it important to receive a comprehensive eye exam and individualized treatment recommendations.

Impact of ADHD on Vision

Scientific research suggests that people with ADHD have a higher rate of vision problems compared to those without ADHD. For example, a vision disorder called convergence insufficiency appears much more often in those diagnosed with ADHD. Vision problems may exacerbate symptoms of ADHD; alternatively, common vision problems may lead to behavioral symptoms that are misdiagnosed as ADHD.

Some of the most common vision-related problems seen in people with ADHD include:

• Problems focusing on nearby objects

• Headaches or eyestrain when reading or doing close work

• Loss of place when reading text

• Feeling as though words “swim” on the page

• Difficulty concentrating on reading or other close tasks

• Tiredness or distractibility during reading
   

Vision Therapy for ADHD

Because of the relatively high number of people with ADHD who also suffer from vision problems, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis. A comprehensive eye exam can uncover difficulties with focusing, eye movements, or ability to the eyes to work together. In many cases, vision therapy is recommended as a first-line treatment.

Vision therapy involves 30 to 60 minute sessions with a vision specialist; sessions often occur once or twice per week. During vision therapy, you will be asked to perform a number of exercises designed to retrain your eyes. This might include looking through prisms, tracking objects with the eyes, focusing on close-up objects, or practicing other visual tasks. Vision therapists often assign homework, allowing you to practice your skills every day.

For kids with an ADHD diagnosis and associated vision problems, vision therapy may significantly decrease symptoms of inattention, distractibility, fidgeting, or behavioral outbursts, leading to great improvements in quality of life.

The eyes have a focusing system called accommodation; it allows for visual clarity. The system is rested when you look at an object that is far away and is not forced to strain like it would if the target were close. In normal circumstances, the eyes are able to effortlessly transition between objects that are far and near, and can sustain focus on items that are close, despite the added effort it places on the focusing system.

Problems With Focusing

However, if a problem arises with the system, the eyes have trouble focusing on objects that are nearby (accommodative insufficiency) or switching attention between targets that are far and near (accommodative infacility). They may also excessively focus on objects that are close (accommodative spasm). As a result of any of these impediments, the person may have blurry vision, diminished comprehension when reading, headaches, eye pain, eye fatigue, slow reading speed and trouble concentrating while performing tasks. All can affect a person’s academic capabilities or ability to perform daily tasks.

Often when issues with the eye focusing system develops, they are not related to the eyes themselves. Instead, they can be related to the brain’s inability to regulate the system because the neurological system has somehow been compromised. Poor eye focus could also transpire due to psychological or visual stress.

Correcting the Problem

Vision therapy can help, as it is a type of physical therapy for both the eyes and brain, and aims to train the visual system to correct itself. This non-surgical approach helps by using a combination of vision exercises and equipment to specifically target eye focusing problems that inhibit learning, reading and education. It also reduces eye strain.

Performed under the supervision of a vision therapy specialist, the exercises—which are conducted in an office up to twice a week for 30 minutes to an hour—are made to fit the individual needs of the patient. Some visual training workouts can also be done at home and are used to supplement in-office visits.

Equipment that may be used during a vision therapy session includes:

• Prisms

• Corrective or therapeutic lenses

• Eye patches or occluders

• Optical filters

• Computer software

• Electronic target with programmed mechanisms

• Balance boards

• Visual-motor-sensory training devices
   

The number of sessions depend on the severity of the eye focusing problem, as well as the associating symptoms (e.g. slow reading speed or blurry vision). Over time, vision therapy should improve essential visual skills and capabilities, enhance visual efficiency, and alter how the patient processes and understands visual information.

Swollen eyelids are a fairly common eye condition caused by inflammation or excess fluid in the connective tissues surrounding the eye. Depending on the cause, swollen eyelids can be painful or not painful and affect the upper eyelid, the lower eyelid, or both. Swollen eyes can be caused by many different factors, including allergies, styes, a blocked gland, traumatic eye injury, and conjunctivitis (“pink eye”).
 

Causes of Swollen Eyelids

In some cases, swollen eyelids may be symptomatic of a bigger health problem, such as orbital cellulitis (a sudden infection of the tissue surrounding the eye), Graves' disease (an autoimmune eye disorder associated with abnormalities of the thyroid gland), and ocular herpes (a recurrent viral infection that can cause inflammation and scaring of the cornea). In general, swollen eyelids are accompanied by symptoms such as itching or scratching sensations, excessive tear production resulting in watery eyes, obstructed vision, redness of the eyelid, eye discharge, and eyelid dryness or flaking. Pain generally accompanies swollen eyelids that are caused by an infection.

Many people also use the term “puffy eyes” interchangeably with swollen eyelids. However, for medical professionals, swollen eyes are generally used to describe an immune system response to an allergy, infection, or injury. Puffy eyes typically refer to eyes that are swollen from external reasons, such as water retention, a lack of sleep, or even genetic traits like dark circles under the eyes.

Eye allergies are the most common cause for swollen eyes. In this case, the swollen eyes are symptomatic of the body’s overreaction to a foreign substance, known as an allergen. Common allergens that can trigger swollen eyes include pollen, dust and pet dander. Some types of contact solution and eye drops may also trigger an allergic reaction in certain individuals.
 

Diagnosis and Treatment

The treatment of swollen eyes depends on the cause. Generally, if eyes are swollen due to allergies, antihistamine drops or oral allergy medication will be an effective treatment. For severe allergic reactions, an eye care professional may also recommend mild steroid drops. Ocular herpes and conjunctivitis are treated with anti-viral medications or anti-inflammatory eye drops, ointments, or antibiotics.

For at home care, remove contact lenses (if you wear them) until the swelling stops. Applying a cool compress can relieve swelling and pain. Most importantly, do not rub the eyes as this will only aggravate the condition. Contact an eye care professional should conditions worsen or pain intensify, in order to rule out the possibility of a more serious cause for this pain.

Fuchs' dystrophy (pronounced fooks DIS-truh-fee) is an eye disease characterized by degenerative changes to the cornea’s innermost layer of cells. The cause for Fuchs' dystrophy is not fully understood. If your mother or father has the disease, then there is roughly a 50 percent chance that you will develop it as well. While Fuchs' dystrophy can sometimes be genetic, it can also occur in individuals who have no known family history of the disease.
 

Understanding Fuchs’ Dystrophy

Fuchs’ dystrophy typically causes vision problems in individuals who are 50 years or older, although symptoms are sometimes diagnosed in individuals who are younger. While Fuchs’ dystrophy can affect both genders, it most commonly affects women. This eye disease affects the innermost layer of cells in the cornea, the endothelium, causing degenerative changes. As the disease progresses, the cornea swells (known as a cornea edema) and clouds, which causes a decline in vision. Finally, the swelling also causes blisters to develop on the front of the cornea, a condition known as bullous keratopathy.
 

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Fuchs’ dystrophy symptoms include eye pain, foggy vision, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, the appearance of halos around a light source, and vision trouble at night. Individuals typically experience poor vision upon awakening that improves later in the day. Another common symptom is the sensation that a foreign object (e.g., an eyelash) is in the eye, even though nothing is there.

A comprehensive eye exam is necessary to diagnose Fuchs' dystrophy. During this exam, an eye care professional uses an instrument called a “slit lamp” to examine the cornea. The slit lamp magnifies the cornea, allowing the eye care professional to detect the subtle changes to the cornea’s endothelium cells, which characterize the disease. The earliest clinical signs are a reduced number of endothelium cells and small, drop-like lesions along the endothelium.
 

Treatment

Treatment for Fuchs’ dystrophy depends on the stage of the disease at diagnosis. For an early-stage diagnosis, it is possible to improve vision with special 5% sodium chloride drops that remove excess water from the cornea. If the disease is caught in later stages, a cornea transplant may be necessary to replace a ruptured cornea. As an alternative to a full cornea transplant, a new treatment known as DLEK (deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty) can replace the endothelium while leaving the upper layers of the cornea untouched. Finally, if you have been diagnosed with Fuchs’ dystrophy, keep in mind that certain eye surgeries, including LASIK, can actually worsen this condition.

Bifocal contact lenses are a type of contact lens that combine two different prescriptions in the same lens. One component corrects nearsightedness and the other prescription addresses farsightedness or farsightedness. Several types of bifocal contacts are available; your eye care provider can help you determine which option is best for you.
 

What Types of Bifocal Contacts Are Available?

• The reading power is in the center of the lens, and the distance (far vision) is on the outside. Or, the distance could be in the middle with the reading on the outside.

• The distance is on the top, and the reading power is on the bottom, similar to bifocal eyeglasses. These contact lenses are weighted at the bottom to keep the reading power on the bottom.

• The reading and distance powers blend from the outside towards the center.
   

What Kind of Bifocal Contacts Should I Wear?

At your optometry clinic, you'll be able to explore your options fully. Generally, several factors influence the type of bifocal contacts that are right for you, including:

• Your age

• Your eyeglass prescription

• The type of work you do

• How you use your eyes, such as looking straight ahead or looking down when you read

• Typical lighting conditions when you read

• Your eye shape

• Your pupil size
   

What Should I Expect During the Adjustment Period?

Some people adjust quickly while others need some time. You might notice that images jump when you switch between close-up and distance vision, or you might see a ghost image when you read. You might see a halo around lights, or your vision might change when the lens moves on your eyeball. If you experience any of these quirks, talk with your eye care provider. Sometimes, these effects are part of adapting to your new corrective lenses and will go away with time. However, in some cases, you might need to try a different type of lens.

If you're having trouble seeing clearly both up-close and at far distances then bifocal contact lenses offer a convenient alternative to bifocal eyeglasses. It may take longer to adjust to bifocal contacts than to glasses, but many find that it's a worthwhile investment.

One of the most important reasons for regular examinations by your eye care provider is evaluate for the development of macular degeneration. According to the Bright Focus™ Foundation, this condition is the primary cause of loss of vision and blindness in older individuals ages 60 and above and is known under these circumstances as age-related macular degeneration. Studies conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) indicate that 10 to 15 million Americans have a diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration. Moreover, macular degeneration is a world-wide problem as the second most frequent cause of irreversible blindness globally.
 

Eye Anatomy

When we think of our "eyes," we usually imagine the outer eye anatomy with the round pupil and white sclera. Eyesight -- or the lack of it -- is more often caused by damage to the unseen structures behind the pupil. One of these inner, unseen structures is the retina which contains "photoreceptor" cells. These cells pick up signals of light, movement and color that are translated by the brain into images. The back of the retina -- on the opposite side of the eyeball from the pupil -- is the retina's center, the macula. The macula processes signals that allow us to see straight ahead and with clarity, color, contrast and detail.
 

Types of Macular Degeneration

The science of optometry and ophthalmology, classify macular degeneration into one of two types: dry or wet. Diagnoses can change from one type to the other. The difference between the types can best be remembered by associating "wet" with blood vessels.
 

Dry Macular Degeneration

This type of damage is the most common form, accounting for approximately 90 percent of macular degeneration diagnoses. Yellow-colored metabolic waste products known as drusen collect beneath the retina, causing a painless but progressive damage and cell death to retinal cells. This form of the disease usually progresses more slowly than does the wet form, however, its ultimate result can be devastating: sufferers may be left without any central version. Imagine a large dark "ball" blocking most of your site all of the time. Peripheral vision is all that may remain, markedly impairing or preventing normal activities of daily living such as driving, reading, watching television, cooking and any work that requires small, detail-oriented work.
 

Wet Macular Degeneration

Wet macular degeneration makes up only 10 percent of this condition's diagnoses but is the culprit in legal blindness 90 percent of the time. In this form of the disease, the body attempts to make up for the death of photoreceptors cells by growing new, but fragile, blood vessels behind the macula. Leaking blood vessels can further impair sight and cause permanent scarring of the macula. Symptoms of the damage are similar to that of dry macular degeneration, however, its progress can take place rapidly.

Many body parts begin to change as you age, and your eyes are no exception. One of the most common age-related eye changes is the development of cataracts. Although cataracts do not occur exclusively in older adults, they affect approximately half of all Americans by age 80.
 

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes clouded. The lens is a flexible, clear structure of the eye that changes shape to reflect light onto the retina. This allows your eye to focus light rays, transforming visual signals into a clear, sharp image.

As you get older, the tissue forming the lens grows less flexible, thicker, and less transparent. Slight degeneration of the tissue causes cloudy areas to form. As light passes through the lens, these cloudy areas scatter the rays and cause visual distortions. Many people report that having cataracts is like looking through a foggy windshield, as everything looks clouded. This can cause difficulties when driving, reading, and performing other everyday activities.

Age-related cataracts are the most common, but other types may also develop. Cataracts are associated with eye injuries, exposure to radiation, smoking, diabetes, steroid use, and surgery for other eye conditions. Cataracts can also be congenital, causing some babies to be born with cataracts.
 

Diagnosis of Cataracts

Checking for cataracts is a routine part of your annual vision exam. Your eye care provider will test your visual acuity using an eye chart to determine if you have any visual impairment. The eye doctor may also use a bright light to view your cornea, lens, and iris to note any changes to their anatomy. Small areas of clouding are visible when performing this test. Your eye care provider may also dilate your eyes and examine your lens for signs of cataracts.
 

Treatment Options

In their early stages, cataracts may cause only minor visual impairment. Using brighter lights for reading or getting an anti-glare coating on your glasses for night driving may be adequate treatments in the early stages. As cataracts grow, however, they can severely impair vision. Your doctor may recommend cataract surgery, in which the clouded lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. Like all surgeries, cataract surgery carries some risk of infection or bleeding; however, it is considered a very safe surgery that is routinely performed worldwide.

Clouded vision due to cataracts can be very impairing, so it is important to monitor your eye health. An annual optometry exam will detect changes to your lens that may be early indicators of cataract development.