August is Cataract Awareness Month

A cataract is a cloudiness of the lens in your eye. The lens, just like one in binoculars, focuses on what you see, giving a clear image. As we age, cataracts develop. Eventually it's difficult to see clearly, to read and to drive. It's especially hard to drive at night because the glare of headlights makes the problem worse. Think of driving through fog with high beam headlights.

The problem starts slowly. Early on, bright lights for reading and an eyeglass prescription change may help. Cataracts effect seeing things at a distance.

Signs and symptoms of cataract include:

• Cloudy, blurry, or dim vision
• Problems with night vision
• Light and glare sensitivity
• Halos around lights
• Needing bright lights in order to read
• Needing new glasses more often
• Colors appear yellow or faded
• Double vision in one eye

You are more likely to develop cataracts if you're diabetic, smoke, have taken steroids, have had an eye injury, or others in your family have them.

Most folks need regular eye exams, especially as we get older. An opthalmologist is a doctor who specializes in the eyes. He or she will be able to test for cataracts and advise on treatment.

The only treatment for cataracts is an operation to remove the lens. Usually an artificial lens is put in its place. If not, glasses or contact lenses are used. This surgery is a common one--risks should be discussed with your opthalmologist.