Some eye disorders are likely to happen more often than others. Like any body part, the human eye is prone to occasional malfunction based on usage or age.
A cataract is an opacity, or a cloudy layer, that develops over the eye's lens. This cloudiness comes from changes in the tissues of the lens. Cataracts can cause obstructions in your sight or make your vision appear cloudy. In general, cataracts occur in people 55 years and older, but they can occur in infants and children in some circumstances.
The lens of the eye has three layers: the capsule, the cortex, and the nucleus. Cataracts can occur in any part of the lens.
Warning signs of cataracts include:
- Blurred vision
- Reduced color perception
- Increased sensitivity to glare, especially at night
- Difficulty seeing at night
Risk factors for cataracts include:
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Family history of cataracts
- Diabetes
- Long-term use of some prescription drugs
- Excessive UV radiation exposure