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Etiology - The most common cause for cataracts is simply aging. In fact, if you live long enough, you will develop some level of cataracts. Other factors, such as excessive drinking/smoking, diabetes, or genetics, can play a role though in speeding up cataract development.
Symptoms - Blurry/cloudy vision, light sensitivity, poor night vision, double vision, and faded colors
Details - Cataracts are arguably the most common and well-known eye disease. They occur through the clumping and breaking down of proteins in the lens of the eye, which is responsible for helping our eyes focus light. Therefore, cataracts result in blurry vision due to the lens' decreased ability to pinpoint light.
Treatment - Although manual changes like stronger vision correction or increasing external lights when reading can help lessen the negative effects of cataracts, the only curable treatment is surgery. Thankfully, cataract surgery by a trained ophthalmologist is quick, painless, over 95% successful, and typically requires minimal recovery time (few days to few weeks).
Pictured above are two identical photos of a lighthouse; however, one displays normal vision (left), whereas the other vision with cataracts (right)
Photo Creds: Suraj Cherry, MD
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