Most cataracts are age-related — they happen because of normal changes in your eyes as you get older. But you can get cataracts for other reasons — for example, after an eye injury or after surgery for another eye problem (like glaucoma). No matter what type of cataract you have, the treatment is always surgery.

Is cataracts common in the elderly?

Cataracts are a common result of aging and occur frequently in older people. About one in five adults over the age of 65 has a cataract. Cataracts are a clouding and darkening of the eye lens, which blocks vision. Stronger lighting and eyeglass adjustments can help when cataracts are small.

Which is the most common cataract in age old patient?

Age-related cataracts are the most common type, but there are several others types of cataracts: Secondary cataracts can develop as a result of eye surgery (such as for glaucoma) as well as diabetes and steroid use.

Do most people over 65 have cataracts?

What You Need to Know. A cataract is the clouding of the normally clear lens that sits in the eye behind the pupil. Most cataracts are related to aging. More than half of all Americans have had a cataract or cataract surgery by age 80.

What causes cataracts to grow quickly?

Trauma-related cataracts are typically the most fast-growing type of cataracts. Radiation: Radiation-related cataracts, sometimes listed under trauma-related cataracts, occur after the lens has been exposed to radiation. Exposure to high levels of radiation can result in clouded vision in as little as two years.

Are cataracts common?

How common are cataracts? Cataracts are common among older people. More than 50% of people age 80 and older have had cataracts.

Should a 90 year old have cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery is dangerous for older adults: Thanks to years of technological advancements, cataract surgery is widely regarded as one of the safest medical procedures, with a success rate of 95-98%. Patients often only need minimal sedation, which allows those in their 80s and 90s to undergo the operation.

Who is more prone to cataracts?

Cataract is more likely to occur among women. In 2010, 61 percent of Americans with cataract were women; 39 percent were men.

What causes cataracts in older people 10?

Some of the diseases that can cause cataracts include diabetes, hypothyroidism, certain genetic illnesses. Complete answer: The cataracts are most commonly due to aging but may also occur due to trauma or radiation exposure. It may be present from birth or maybe from the eye surgery for other problems.

Which condition causes senile cataracts?

Diabetes is associated with the development of cataracts. Inflammatory disease of the eye, such as iritis or uveitis, may cause or accelerate the development of cataract in the involved eye. There are many genetic illnesses that are associated with the development of cataracts.

What is the average age a person get cataracts?

In most people, cataracts start developing around age 60, and the average age for cataract surgery in the United States is 73. However, changes in the lenses of our eyes start to affect us in our 40’s.

What percentage of elderly have cataracts?

By age 65, over 90 percent of people have a cataract and half of the people between the ages of 75 and 85 have lost some vision due to a cataract.

Which organ is related with cataract disease?

The organ affected by a cataract is the lens, which loses progressively its transparency and become opaque.

How quickly do cataracts deteriorate?

Most age-related cataracts can progress gradually over a period of years. It is not possible to predict exactly how fast cataracts will develop in any given person. Some cataracts, especially in younger people and people with diabetes, may progress rapidly over a short time.

Can you see cataracts in the mirror?

If left untreated, a cataract will naturally continue to progress. In some cases, the maturing cataract becomes completely white and can be seen in the mirror or by others.

How do you stop cataracts from growing?

5 ways to keep cataracts from getting worse

1. Have regular eye exams.
2. Watch your blood sugars if you have diabetes.
3. Stop smoking.
4. Reduce alcohol consumption.
5. Eat a balanced diet.
6. Wear sunglasses.