Types of cataracts
There are many different types of cataracts, however, the vast majority of people will develop cataracts that are related to age, or getting older. Developing a cataract with age and time is a natural process that happens to every person if they live long enough.
Age-related cataracts
Age related cataracts are the most common type of cataract that an eye doctor sees. Within the age related category, there are three types of cataracts that commonly occur. They are called a nuclear sclerotic cataract, a cortical cataract and a posterior subcapsular cataract. A person can have just one of these, or all three of these types of cataracts in varying degrees. While most individuals with nuclear sclerosis and cortical changes will notice a slower decline in vision, many patients with posterior subcapsular cataracts will report symptoms that progress more rapidly.
Diabetic cataract
Diabetes is a known risk factor for the development of cataracts. Having high glucose or blood sugar levels for prolonged periods of time contributes to the development of cataracts in diabetics. Additionally, diabetics are more at risk for complications in cataract surgery and swelling in the retina after cataract surgery. It is important if you are a diabetic to control your blood sugars for optimal vision as well as optimal results following cataract surgery.
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Traumatic cataract
Patients can also develop a cataract due to traumatic injury. This could be blunt trauma such as being punched in the face, or it could be penetrating trauma from a piece of glass or metal injuring the eye. Additionally, eye surgery for other eye problems may also cause cataracts down the line. In the cases of blunt or penetrating trauma, the cataract may form quickly over days to weeks. In the case of surgical intervention, patients may see the development of a cataract over 1 to 2 years, but it may happen sooner than this.
How to prevent cataracts
For most people, there is no way to prevent cataracts. This is because the majority of cataracts are due to age. There are some cataracts that are preventable such as a traumatic cataract. If you are in a profession where your eyes could be at risk for trauma, such as construction, it is important to employ the use of safety goggles so that you are at less risk for injury to the eye. If you are a diabetic, controlling your blood sugars can also help to delay the onset of cataracts, but remember that ultimately you will still develop a cataract as you age. Other risk factors for developing cataracts include using oral, IV, or inhaled steroids, being exposed to ultraviolet light, smoking, radiation exposure, or going through chemotherapy. For some individuals, the benefit of using medications like steroids or needing to undergo chemotherapy outweighs the risk of developing cataracts. Additionally, some cataracts are due to genetics and are associated with other diseases, and are not as preventable. All cataracts are treated with surgical intervention.
Cataract surgery
Cataract surgery is the common pathway to treat all types of cataracts. There are currently no eye drops that can treat a cataract. When a person needs cataract surgery is very specific to that person and there is no way to predict how quickly someone’s cataract will substantially affect their vision. Cataract surgery in most cases takes just 15 to 30 minutes and is generally performed in an outpatient surgery center. For more complicated cases or for patients with other serious chronic health issues, the surgery could take longer and may need to be performed in a hospital or inpatient setting. Generally speaking, cataract surgery often has a high success rate in improving a patient’s vision.
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