Your eyes each have a lens, which is responsible for refracting the light to enable vision. A healthy lens is clear, allowing for light penetration. However, sometimes the lens can develop a cloudy area, which is known as a cataract. This occurs when the proteins in the lens begin to deteriorate. Most often, cataract formation is due to the natural aging process. Certain risk factors can increase the likelihood that you may develop cataracts, such as having diabetes or spending a lot of time in the sun without UV-blocking sunglasses.
Cataracts most often develop slowly, although rapid development can occur in some patients. Some of the signs and symptoms of cataracts include the following:
Patients with cataracts may also need frequent changes to their vision prescription. If you’re visiting us on a regular basis for routine eye exams, we’ll be able to detect the signs of cataracts early.