Second Chances: The Role Of Optometrists In Eye Care

There is a common misconception that a cataract is an eye condition that only affects older people. Many people also think that cataracts are slow to develop, but this is not necessarily the case either. If you are surprised to have been affected by this condition and are looking for further information, what do you need to know about early and sometimes fast development?

Types of Cataracts

For some people, cataracts are something that they will slowly develop as they age. Their cataracts will form either towards the centre of the lens or on the outside, known as the cortex. The patient will start to encounter some blurred vision or may have particular difficulties with lights at night. A car's headlights may develop a "halo" effect, and cataracts can sometimes cause double vision. Usually, the patient will have enough time to talk with a cataract surgeon and plan replacements in due course.

However, some people can develop a posterior subcapsular cataract, which is found towards the back of the cortex and underneath the lens capsule. This cataract may develop quite quickly and tends to be found in younger people instead.

Trigger Events

Some cataracts may also grow quickly due to either an injury or another medical condition. For example, certain cataracts are caused by diabetes, where there is too much glucose in the system, affecting the clarity of the lens. Other people may have suffered a trauma to their eye, which may spur the formation of a cataract. This might then be quite aggressive and could develop quickly.

For reasons that are not always clear, people who smoke a lot may also be at risk of developing fast-growing cataracts at any age.

Cataract Surgery

Typically, the procedure involved in dealing with cataracts is the same, no matter how they form or the patient's age. It will usually involve a relatively simple procedure where the damaged lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one. This is one of the most commonplace procedures in all of medicine today, and the success rate is very high. Further, the procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis.

Expert Help

Should you be worried about a fast-growing cataract at whatever age, talk with a specialist as soon as possible. They will help to diagnose the condition and explain the options for you, so you can aim to restore your vision and get back to everyday life. 

For more information, contact a cataract doctor that does cataract surgery.