We all dread blindness. Some are more prone to it than others, especially if they have familial eye conditions or have co-morbid illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes. Some causes of blindness may be difficult to address. An example of this is glaucoma, which can lead to irreversible vision loss. But there are also conditions that can be reversed. The most common is cataract.

This word is a source of worry for many people: even younger patients who experience temporary blurring of vision ask me, “Doc, is this cataract?”.

The eye, though small, has a lot of parts that work together to make us see. One of these is the lens. It is normally transparent and lets light through, helping us see clearly. When cataract develops, the lens changes color. This becomes apparent to the patient who experiences cloudy vision sometimes described as dimming or seeing through haze. An analogy: a newly washed car windshield is the natural lens giving us clear details of vehicles and objects in front of us while driving. A lens clouded by cataract will be that car’s windshield blurred by fog from the aircon — the blurring obscures our line of sight.

Who is at risk for this condition? We all will develop cataract as its most common cause is aging. Proteins in the lens can start breaking down causing the clouding as early as 40 years old, and the changes become more noticeable once patients reach age 60.

There are other causes of cataracts in younger individuals. Congenital and juvenile/developmental cataracts in paediatric patients have to be addressed urgently so that their full visual potential is reached. Eye or head trauma, eye surgeries or radiation for treatment of cancers in the area of the head can lead to earlier cataracts. Also at increased risk are individuals who have family members with cataract/hereditary problems. Poorly controlled blood sugar in diabetics can also cause cataract formation aside from other bad effects on the eye. Medications such as steroids and inflammatory conditions in the body can also cause it.

How can we tell we have cataract? The most common symptoms aside from blurring are: seeing double, becoming sensitive to light, having vision trouble at night such as when driving or reading books. If these symptoms persist, consult with your ophthalmologist so that a diagnosis is made and prompt treatment is started. For uncomplicated cases, cataract surgery is the definitive treatment and reverses vision loss. The cataractous lens is taken out and an artificial (intraocular lens or IOL) is implanted. For those with other underlying conditions, long term medication with drops may be needed or other operations may be warranted. Follow up check ups with your eye doctor are very important so that all bases are covered.

If you are diagnosed with cataract and advised surgery, don’t be afraid. This is not a death sentence. In fact, it can give you your life back. Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor today.