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Cataracts a danger, still the leading cause of blindness

By — Tracy Bell from press release
Published: August 21, 2008

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RICHMOND — The number-one age-related eye disease, which affects more than 22 million Americans, is cataracts — a clouding of the eyes' lenses.
Cataracts affect more individuals than glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy combined. According to the World Health Organization, the condition is the leading cause of blindness.

"Cataract is something that most of us will develop at some point in our lives. "The key is to understand what we can do now to help protect our vision in the future," said Timothy Gresham, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic.

Founded in 1957, Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic is a non-profit health organization dedicated to the prevention and detection of vision problems.

Over time, old cells in the lens build up and block light as it tries to pass through. Generally, a cataract does not cause pain, redness or tears. Symptoms may include blurred or double vision, lights seeming to be too dim or sensitivity to strong light. A milky or yellow spot may also be noticeable in the eye, and a clouding of the lens occurs.

It is estimated that more than 30.1 million people in the United States will suffer with cataracts by the year 2020.

According to Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic, surgery to remove cataracts has a 95 percent success rate, giving patients 20/20 to 20/40 vision. The group has also designated August as Cataract Awareness Month.

More than half of Americans will have cataracts by age 80, according to Prevent Blindness; however, the condition can occur at any age and the probability of developing it increases with age.

Risk factors include:
- Intense heat or long-term exposure to UV rays from the sun
- Certain diseases, such as diabetes
- Eye inflammation
- Heredity
- Events prior to birth, such as German measles in the mother
- Long-term steroid use
- Eye injuries
- Eye diseases
- Smoking