June is Cataract Awareness Month when people are encouraged to learn about cataracts and take control of their vision. Cataracts are the most common vision-threatening eye condition in Canada, with over 2.5 million Canadians affected. Cataracts are also the leading cause of blindness worldwide. The good news is that cataracts are treatable and even though they affect vision, they do not impact your eye health. Vision can be restored with cataract surgery. While this surgery is very common and can help regain eyesight, it is best to prevent cataract development before it begins.

Cataracts develop painlessly and often slowly, so many people develop this condition without knowing. The best way to monitor your eye health and diagnose cataracts early is to have regular eye exams.

What Are Cataracts?

A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye. As this lens clouds, light cannot fully penetrate the eye to reach the retina or the back wall of the eye. This lack of light causes blurry vision which progressively worsens as the cataract develops. Cataracts can form in one eye, although it is common for them to develop in both. This eye condition is not a disease and it does not spread within the body nor does it spread from person to person.

Factors The Increase Risk Of Developing Cataracts

There are a series of factors that contribute to the development of cataracts. Age is the most common cause. While there are forms of cataracts that can develop at any age, it is most common to develop this eye condition after age 60. It is believed that there is also a genetic component to cataracts and therefore people who have blood relatives with cataracts are at an increased risk of developing the eye condition.

Pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes may also contribute to the development of cataracts. High blood sugar levels can lead to changes in the development of the lens and can cause lens swelling. Also, if you have previously had eye surgery or are taking steroids, you are at an increased risk of developing cataracts.

Finally, many people know that UV rays are bad for our skin but they also contribute to the formation of cataracts. UV rays contribute to the breakdown of proteins within the eye leading to lens clouding. To help protect against this, ensure that you wear UV-blocking sunglasses whenever you are outside, even in the winter or on a cloudy day. Remember that UV rays have nothing to do with the weather or temperature; it can be a cold Winnipeg winter day and UV rays can still damage the eyes, especially when reflected off snow.

Cataracts develop painlessly and often slowly, so many people develop this condition without knowing. The best way to monitor your eye health and diagnose cataracts early is to have regular eye exams. At For Eyes Optical, our optometrists assess for cataracts and other eye conditions during a comprehensive eye exam and can discuss a cataract management plan with you. Protect your vision with early intervention and understand your eye health with the help of the For Eyes team.

To book an eye exam with one of our optometrists, contact us at 204-889-7408 or stop by to book an appointment at 2090 Corydon Ave.