You may think that you have a healthy pair of eyes, but many eye diseases can impair your vision later on in life. Cataracts, for instance, are among the most common age-related vision conditions that affect people over 40 years old. It’s also the leading cause of blindness in the world and affects over 22 million people in the country.
Your eye doctor from Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry discusses the three types of cataract and how they can affect your eyesight.
Overview
What are cataracts? This eye disease is the clouding of the natural lens of the eyes. People with cataracts have vision problems that make it seem that they’re looking through a frosty or fogged-up window, which makes some activities more difficult to do. They may have a hard time reading, driving a car or seeing the expression on a person’s face.
Nuclear Sclerotic Cataracts
This is the most common type of age-related cataract, which is a result of the hardening and yellowing of the lens over time. It occurs when the proteins in the lens begin to clump, scattering light instead of allowing it to pass through. As nuclear sclerotic cataracts progress, it changes your close-up vision and the ability of your eyes to focus. Cataracts treatment may involve surgery to replace the natural lenses and reverse vision loss.
Cortical Cataracts
People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing cortical cataracts. This type of cataract develops in the lens cortex or the peripheral edge of the lens. Changes in the fluid content of the lens fibers result in clefts, which cause the light that enters the eye to scatter. Eye doctors may suggest using bifocals or surgery to remove cortical cataracts.
Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts
This type of cataract starts developing on the posterior or back surface of the lens. It also forms beneath the lens capsule, a small membrane that encloses the lens and holds it in place. People with posterior subcapsular cataracts may see a halo effect and glare around lights.
Turn to Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry for your sports vision training and cataract treatment. Call us today at (703) 573-1200, or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment. We serve residents of Falls Church and other nearby areas in Virginia.