Stephen Olwell Optician on cataracts

Hi again, Stephen here. Since my last article we’ve had the most awful weather. We had the

worst July that I can remember, but Summer has finally arrived (in Autumn).

Hallelujah.

I love the summer, and the sun (whatever time of year it comes), and I love wearing sunglasses.

But I wear sunglasses not only because I love them, but because they protect my eyes.

Sunglasses block out the harmful UV rays that lead to countless problems, which for the eyes

include macular degeneration, solar keratitis, melanomas and cataracts, which I want to talk

about today.

Cataracts are not always caused by the sun, but they are not helped by it and they are often

hurried on by exposure to UV light.

What are cataracts?

The eye has a focussing lens behind the iris (the coloured part of the eye) which helps us to see

things at different distances away from us. Cataracts are a loss of transparency or clarity of this lens.

What causes them?

Cataracts are caused by many things, including age, injury, side effects of medications,

diabetes and exposure to UV and infrared light. Cataracts can also be present at birth, or an

association of high myopia or Down’s syndrome.

I’ve been told I have cataracts - Should I worry?

In a word “NO”. Cataracts are not dangerous. Nor do they cause any discomfort. Cataracts are

usually noticed as a gradual loss of vision over years, where the sight can become misty or we

can have a lot of glare at night when driving.

How are they treated?

Cataracts are treated with surgery. The cloudy focussing lens is removed and replaced with an

artificial lens. This surgery is very common and normally takes less than 30 minutes.

Can I slow them down?

For most people, avoiding unnecessary surgeries is one of our goals as we get older. Cataracts

formed due to injury and medications are generally unavoidable. In diabetes, keeping the

condition itself under control is the main way to avoid further complications. Cataracts from UV

and IR radiation can be avoided with proper eye protection, and in the case of UV this is very easy.

Cataracts due to age are mostly slow but are hurried on by any or all of the other reasons

listed, and the way to slow them is the same.

Wear Sunglasses.

If you are worried about cataracts, or have been told you have mild cataracts forming, then

wearing sunglasses is your best defence, and the easiest way of slowing cataract progression.

For people who work outside every day, this is especially important.

Speak to your optician about the best sunglasses to help prevent cataracts and other avoidable

Stephen Olwell Opticians

10 Grafton Court

Longford

Co. Longford

Stephen Olwell Optician on cataracts - What are they?