What are the symptoms?
Cataracts usually develop gradually, without pain, redness or tearing in the eye. Some cataracts never progress to the point where they seriously impair vision, whereas others eventually block most or all vision in the affected eye. Some potential signs of a cataract include:

• Hazy, fuzzy or blurred vision. Double vision sometimes occurs, but this usually goes away as the cataract worsens.
• The need for frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions.
• A feeling of having a film over the eyes. The person with a cataract may blink a lot in an effort to see better.
• Changes in the color of the pupil to gray, yellow or white.
• Colors seem dull and faded.
• Problems with light. For example, night driving becomes harder because the cloudy part of the lens scatters the light from oncoming headlights, making these lights appear double. Also, the person may have trouble finding the right amount of light for reading or close work.
• 'Second sight' a temporary improvement in reading vision experienced by some people when their cataract reaches a certain stage of development. As the cataract progresses, vision again worsens.

What are the risk factors?
Age, diabetes, smoking, prolonged use of steroids, exposure to sunlight.

How are cataracts treated?
Surgery is the only method proven effective for removing cataracts. An ophthalmologist removes the clouded lens and replaces it with a substitute lens. Consult your ophthalmologist to discuss the options available.

* Cataract surgery is one of the most successful operations done today more than 90 percent of the people who have cataract surgery find they can see better.

How can you protect your vision?

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