A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. A cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other. Although most cataracts are related to aging, there are other types of cataract: 1. Secondary cataract- Cataracts can form after surgery for other eye problems, such as glaucoma.
Cataracts also can develop in people who have other health problems, such as diabetes. Cataracts are sometimes linked to steroid use. 2. Traumatic cataract- Cataracts can develop after an eye injury, sometimes years later. 3. Congenital cataract- Some babies are born with cataracts or develop them in childhood, often in both eyes. These cataracts may be so small that they do not affect vision. If they do, the lenses may need to be removed. 4. Radiation cataract- Cataracts can develop after exposure to some types of radiation.
GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve and can result in vision loss and blindness. However, with early detection and treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss. At first, open-angle glaucoma has no symptoms. It causes no pain. Vision stays normal. Glaucoma can develop in one or both eyes. Without treatment, people with glaucoma will slowly lose their peripheral (side) vision. As glaucoma remains untreated, people may miss objects to the side and out of the corner of their eye.
They seem to be looking through a tunnel. Over time, straight-ahead (central) vision may decrease until no vision remains. ASTIGMATISM Astigmatism is a common type of refractive error. It is a condition in which the eye does not focus light evenly onto the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Astigmatism occurs when light is bent differently depending on where it strikes the cornea and passes through the eyeball. The cornea of a normal eye is curved like a basketball, with the same degree of roundness in all areas.
An eye with astigmatism has a cornea that is curved more like a football, with some areas that are steeper or more rounded than others. This can cause images to appear blurry and stretched out. Signs and symptoms include: * Headaches * Eyestrain * Squinting * Distorted or blurred vision at all distances * Difficulty driving at night If you experience any of these symptoms, visit your eye care professional. If you wear glasses or contact lenses and still have these issues, a new prescription might be needed.