Cataracts — Early prevention is the key to life-long vision, but when surgury is needed, Pacific EyeCare is the leader.
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A cataract is a cloudiness that develops in the normally clear lens of the eye. The lens, about the size of an aspirin, is the transparent fine focusing part of the eye located behind the pupil. It is comprised of a strong, transparent outer covering or capsule filled with a clear gel material. When the gel becomes cloudy, the incoming light rays are distorted or
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blocked before reaching the retina at the back of the eye. As the cataract develops, vision is increasingly reduced. |
Cataracts are most commonly caused by age. In fact, almost everyone who lives long enough will develop cataracts. Age-related cataracts are brought about by chemical changes within the lens of the eye. These changes result in the lens hardening and becoming cloudy. Cataracts can also be caused by severe injuries to the eye, reactions to certain drugs,
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exposure to harmful chemicals or radiation, and some eye diseases and physicial conditions such as diabetes. Smoking and exposure to high amounts of sunlight have been shown to increase the onset of cataract formation. Babies can also be born with congenital cataracts. |