(News Report) August is cataract awareness month and the American Academy of Ophthalmology wants people to know they don’t have to live with the vision loss caused by cataracts. New, effective and simple surgeries can restore full vision to the more than 20 million Americans over 40 who have cataracts.

Advances in surgical techniques have made cataract removal surgeries one of the most successful and life-improving surgical procedures, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. More than 1.6 million cataract surgeries are performed each year in the U.S., making the procedure one of the most common surgeries in the U.S. Cataract surgery is typically done as an out patient procedure that requires only local anaesthesia.

Cataracts happen when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and hard, leading to vision impairment or blindness. Some people may be genetically prone to develop cataracts, and there are no medications or exercises that can prevent them.

Ultraviolet light exposure from the sun is a likely culprit, according to the American Dietetic Association, who recommends a diet high in antioxidants like vitamins C, E and beta-carotene to possibly counter the damage or perhaps delay cataract formation. Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses when outside is the best way to protect your eyes.

Symptoms of cataracts can include light sensitivity, blurry vision, loss of colour vision, difficulty with driving at night or recognizing people, or constantly feeling like you are looking through dirty eyeglasses when they are not.

“If cataracts are interfering with your life, talk to your eye doctor,” recommends the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Cataracts no longer need to affect a person’s quality of life.

Related Links:
American Academy of Opthalmology, “August is Cataract Awareness Month,” 2009
http://www.aao.org/aaoesite/eyemd/cataract.cfm

American Dietetic Association: “Cataract Awareness Month,” no date
http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/home_4667_ENU_HTML.htm

EmpowHer Links:
Alan, R., “Conditions in Depth: Cataracts”
http://www.empowher.com/media/reference/risk-factors-cataracts

HealthDay News, “Gene Found for Age-related Cataracts,” July 31, 2009.
http://www.empowher.com/news/2009/07/31/gene-found-age-related-cataract

Written by: D. Jenkins, Ph.D.

Source: EmpowHer – Women’s Health Online