Is your vision cloudy? Do you have to change your eyewear prescription often? IF SO, THEN YOU MAY HAVE CATARACTS, A COMMON EYE CONDITION AMONG OLDER ADULTS.

WHAT ARE CATARACTS? Cataracts form when protein clumps together and clouds the lens in your eyes. CATARACTS USUALLY AREN'T PAINFUL. They are sometimes present at birth, but because cataracts tend to grow slowly, people usually first notice symptoms in their 60's.

MORE THAN HALF OF THE AMERICANS AGE 80 OR OLDER HAVE A CATARACT OR HAVE HAD ONE REMOVED, according to the National Eye Institute. CATARACTS CAN CAUSE YOU TO HAVE TROUBLE READING OR DRIVING. IF YOU HAVE A CATARACT IN ONE EYE, IT CAN'T SPREAD TO YOUR OTHER EYE. HOWEVER, THEY CAN DEVELOP IN BOTH EYES.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? Symptoms of cataracts can include:
BLURRY OR CLOUDED VISION
SENSITIVITY TO LIGHT
TROUBLE SEEING AT NIGHT
SEEING HALOS AROUND LIGHTS
FREQUENT EYEWEAR PRESCRIPTION CHANGES


WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS? Doctors aren't sure what causes cataracts, but risk factors include A FAMILY HISTORY OF CATARACTS, DIABETES, PAST EYE INJURY, EXCESSIVE EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT, ALCOHOL ABUSE AND SMOKING. YOU CAN HELP PREVENT CATARACTS BY NOT SMOKING AND PROTECTING YOUR EYES FROM THE SUN.

HOW ARE CATARACTS TREATED? When a cataract is in its early stages, A STRONGER EYEWEAR PRESCRIPTION MAY HELP IMPROVE YOUR VISION. STRONGER LIGHTING MAY ALSO HELP. If a cataract interferes with everyday tasks, such as reading or watching TV, SURGERY MAY BE NECESSARY TO REMOVE IT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE YOUR EYES EXAMINED REGULARLY. Talk to your doctor if you have trouble SEEING OR NOTICE A CHANGE IN YOUR VISION.