Understanding Cataracts and Their Risks

Cataracts

• Cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of your eye.
• Cataracts may or may not affect your vision.
• Cataracts may affect one or both eyes.
• The leading cause of blindness worldwide.
• More common among African Americans of both genders and at all ages.
• The leading cause of visual impairment for African Americans, Americans of Latino descent, and those of European descent.

Risk Factors

• Cigarette smoking
• Diabetes
• Excessive exposure to sunlight
• Long-term corticosteroid use
• Previous eye surgery
• Eye trauma

Types

• Nuclear Cataracts: centered in the lens, linked to nearsightedness, progresses slowly.
• Cortical Cataracts: located on the outer edges of the lens, appear uneven, produce glare symptoms.
• Subcapsular Cataracts: form at the back of the lens, can be linked to glaucoma and corticosteroid use, progress more quickly.

Physical Exam

• Gradual painless vision loss that gets worse over time
• May not have symptoms
• May present with visual changes and/or difficulty performing daily tasks.
• Eye exam includes:
  • Checking for lens opacity
  • Vision testing
  • Extraocular movement testing
  • Pupillary size measurement
  • Light reactivity testing

Diagnostics

• Ophthalmologist performs:
  • Visual acuity testing
  • Refraction testing
  • Intraocular pressure measurement
  • Dilated eye exam
  • Fundus exam
  • Glare testing
  • Contrast sensitivity testing

Differential

• Refractive Error

This quiz explores cataracts, their types, causes, and risk factors. Learn about how cataracts can affect vision and the groups that are most at risk. Test your knowledge on this leading cause of visual impairment.