Cataracts develop when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy. Understandably, this can significantly impact your vision. About 20% of Americans aged 65 to 74 have cataracts; however, this number jumps up to 50% for people over age 80. With statistics like this one, it’s normal to wonder whether cataracts are an inevitable part of growing older.
With over 20 years of experience, Nicanor Lacsina, O.D., Yelena Pinkhasova, O.D., and the Bainbridge Eye Care team have diagnosed and treated countless cataracts in the Norwood neighborhood of the Bronx. If you’re concerned about cataracts — regardless of your age — we encourage you to visit us.
In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about cataracts and aging.
Cataracts develop when proteins in the lens of your eye break down, clump together, and form cloudy areas. Several factors influence this process, including:
As you get older, the lenses in your eyes naturally become less flexible, less transparent, and thicker, which leads to two conditions: presbyopia and cataracts.
Interestingly, nearly all mammals and bird species can develop age-related cataracts.
Your family history can play a role in the development of cataracts. If your parents or siblings have had cataracts, you may be more likely to develop them.
Be sure to share all relevant family history during your routine eye exams.
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can increase your risk of cataracts, eye cancer, and pterygium. Wearing sunglasses that block UV rays can help protect your eyes.
Certain medical conditions, like diabetes, can increase your risk of cataracts. Managing these conditions can help reduce your risk.
Medications and specific treatments, such as radiation treatments, can also increase your risk of cataracts.
Smoking can increase your risk of several eye diseases — not just cataracts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking increases your risk of cataracts threefold and doubles your risk of macular degeneration.
Back to the titular question — does everyone eventually get cataracts — the simple answer is no, everyone doesn’t develop them. However, most people experience some degree of lens clouding as they age. According to the National Eye Institute, by age 80, more than half of Americans either have a cataract or already had cataract surgery.
It’s beneficial to know your modifiable risk factors, meaning the risk factors for cataracts that are within your control. You can’t control your age, but you can control other risk factors like smoking and UV exposure.
You can't completely prevent cataracts, but you can take steps to reduce your risk and delay their onset, such as:
Don’t wait for your cataracts to get worse before you reach out for help. Your Bainbridge Eye Care provider can help you slow the progression of cataracts if you develop one. UV-blocking sunglasses, for instance, can be a great help for your eyes.
The bottom line is that not everyone gets cataracts, but if you have several risk factors, you may be more likely to experience one. The good news is that even if you develop cataracts, your vision troubles aren’t permanent. Cataract surgery can remove your cloudy lens. Once Dr. Lacsina or Dr. Pinkhasova removes the cloudy lens, they insert an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to restore clear vision. Cataract surgery is common — more than three million are performed in America annually — and it’s relatively quick.
Questions about cataracts? Give us a call today at 718-306-9127. You can also click here to book your next eye exam.
