A
cataract is a clouding that appears on the lens of the eye, leading to a loss in vision. Cataracts
can vary in size and thus in the effect they have on vision. They can occur at
any age, although they most commonly affect vision in people over the age of
60. What is known is that they result from a changing chemical balance in the
lens of the eye – the part of the eye that sends light to the retina at the
back of the eye. When the lens becomes cloudy, it becomes difficult to see
properly. Advancing age, eye injuries, some diseases (e.g., diabetes), certain
medications, smoking, and a family history of cataracts are all believed to
play a role in the development of this condition. Cataracts do not spread from
one eye to the other – a cataract in one eye will not cause a cataract in the
other. Unfortunately, though, cataracts often develop in both eyes at the same
time – although they may progress at different rates.
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