At Hakim Optical, we want to take the time to help educate Canadians about what exactly cataract awareness means. While we’re sure you’ve heard of cataracts, if you’ve never dealt with them personally, you may not know what they are and how they can affect your life.
What Are Cataracts?
In short, a cataract refers to when a small but vital part of your eye–the lens–becomes cloudy or foggy. For one to see clearly, light must pass through a clear lens behind the iris, this allows your brain and your eyes to work together to perceive images. If the lens becomes cloudy, you won’t be able to focus light in the same way, making it difficult for your brain to process what your eyes are seeing.
What Causes Cataracts?
For the most part, cataracts are caused by the general degradation of the muscles and protein in your eyes over time. In other words, cataracts often occur due to age. People over the age of 40 are the most likely to begin to develop cataracts, however, even if they begin developing at 40, most people don’t recognize an issue until they’re past 60 years of age.
What Are The Symptoms Of Cataracts?
If you feel as though you may have cataracts, the only way to know for sure is to schedule an eye exam with a licensed optometrist. However, there are some clear indications that you may have cataracts, and it can be helpful to look out for them. Common symptoms of cataracts include:
- Blurred or foggy vision
- Decreased night vision
- Halos around lights
- A lack of vividity in colours
- Sensitivity to light/sunlight
Can Cataracts Be Prevented?
While for the most part, cataracts develop due to aging, there are certain things that you can avoid that may expedite the process and cause cataracts sooner rather than later. To help prevent cataracts later in life, try to avoid these activities:
- Smoking
- Living in an area with high-pollution
- Heavy use of drugs or alcohol
How To Catch Cataracts Early
The best way to catch cataracts early is to ensure you’re taking the best care of your eyes possible by scheduling regular eye exams. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommended that:
- Children under the age of twenty should have their eyes examined once a year.
- Adults ages twenty through sixty-four should have an eye exam once every two to three years.
- Adults over the age of sixty-five should have an eye exam once every year.
By scheduling regular eye exams according to your age, you can help to catch and treat cataracts as soon as possible, plus you can ensure the general health of your eyes against other seeing and health conditions before they become significant.
Cataract awareness is a key part of your eye health and your regular eye exam.
Book your eye exam at your nearest Hakim Optical Store today!
Hakim Optical has provided Canadians with quality corrective lenses at a value that can’t be beat for over 55 years. Our knowledgeable staff and optometrists are here to help you find an eyewear solution tailored specifically to you.
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