As a general rule, cataracts form as a result of natural aging and are commonly a problem in men and women over 60 years of age. The eye lens becomes cloudy and will cause your vision to be a bit blurry. It will start to impact your ability to drive, read, watch TV and perform other daily tasks. Over time, the cloudiness of the lens will continue to worsen if you leave it untreated. In some cases, it can result in blindness.
Who Is At Risk?
According to AARP, women are more at risk than men when it comes to cataracts. Those with diabetes are also a high risk candidate for developing cataracts. Individuals who are overweight, have been diagnosed with hypertension and smoke are also at serious risk of cataracts. However, experts are beginning to realize that UV rays have the unfortunate ability to speed up the formation of cataracts.This means individuals who spend a lot of time in direct sunlight are at risk of cataracts.
How Does the Sun Cause Cataracts?
Believe it or not, long-term and extended exposure to the sun and its UV rays is one of the most common reasons cataracts are formed. This is because, when your eyes are exposed to the sun for extended periods of time, free radicals begin to form. This leads to a disturbance in the eye lens. It gradually turns into a cataract before you even know what's going on. Because it is so gradual and you may not realize what is happening, it is crucial that you protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays to ensure your eyes stay healthy for as long as possible. One of the best ways to do this is by wearing sunglasses.
Protect Your Eyes with Sunglasses
If the sun is out, you should have a pair of sunglasses on. There are certain types that have the protection that you need from the UV rays that sun transmits. According to AARP, you need a pair of sunglasses that are rated to reflect 99 percent to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays.
Now that you understand how damaging the sun and its UV rays can be to your eyesight, it may be time to talk to an optometrist, such as Alta View Eye Care Center, about cataract prevention and what steps you can take aside from wearing sunglasses. If you think you may have already developed cataracts, then schedule yourself an appointment at your very earliest convenience for a complete eye exam. Unlike some other eye diseases, there is a surgery that can resolve your cataract dilemma.
Share9 October 2014
