One morning you wake up to a blurry version of your bedroom, you rub your eyes to remove any foreign debris in a futile attempt to regain clarity and focus. This is a frightening example of what someone with cataracts may experience during the onset of the initial symptoms. The eye is arguably one of the most complicated and fascinating organs of the human body. The way the cornea meticulously bends light rays to pass precisely through the pupil onto a lens while the iris explicitly manages the amount of light required to properly project an image onto the retina is simply extraordinary. However, with so many individual components working together to produce something with such clarity and precision it is easy to see how a single aberration can impact its performance. This article will shed some light on cataracts and provide 6 facts regarding them including causes and available treatments.

1. Cataracts, according to the Mayo Clinic, is described as being the clouding of the natural lens within your eyes causing a blurry or foggy like vision. Although cataracts develop slowly they will ultimately affect the overall quality of your vision, potentially leading to blindness.
   
   
2. Some of the most prevalent causes behind cataracts include injury, genetic disorders and medical conditions such as diabetes. However, although all the aforementioned issues can have an impact on a person's vision when it comes to cataracts the most prominent offender is age.
   
   
3. According to the National Eye Institute over 17% of the US population age 40 and older is impacted by this disorder.
   
   
4. Between 2000 and 2010 there has been a 20% increase in the number of cataract cases, and this number is expected to increase with our growing and aging population.
   
   
5. Blurred vision, sensitivity to light, difficulty to see at night and double vision may be evidence of clouding of the crystalline lens within your eye. If someone begins to experience these symptoms, especially if they are age 40 or older, it could be an indicator of cataracts. If any of these symptoms are experienced, consulting an eye care professional is recommended.
   
   
6. If diagnosed with cataracts, some initial treatments may include eyeglasses and/or contact lenses to help correct the initial symptoms. However, as time goes by, and as the cloudiness worsens, the only real treatment is cataract surgery. Fortunately, this surgery is considered rather simple, safe and effective. It basically involves replacing one's natural but cloudy lens with a new clear artificial lens with the right vision correction. On a rare occasion, some post-operative patients may require additional vision correction by way of eyeglasses and/or contact lenses.
   

Although there is no clear-cut scientific method to prevent cataracts from developing, some eye doctors strongly believe that regular eye exams, not smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, healthy living and wearing sunglasses may help reduce the risk.

In a world dependent on visual stimuli for day-to-day activities and interactions it is critical to remain mindful of the importance of proper eye health. Stay informed; do not be left in the dark.

This article was written by Bucky LaFountain from Contact Lens King Inc.