Cataracts

The first thing we need is a basic understanding of Cataracts. I hope to give you an explanation as well as a personal glimpse into what it is like to have it. As I said on the index page I will not be giving credit here as that would be impossible. I have collected this information from various sources, source types, and from personal experience as well.

DEFINITION
Cataracts are cloudy areas in the lens of the eye that can even be present at or shortly after birth. However, adult cataracts develop as we age and may be accelerated by environmental factors. They may develop at any time throughout life though; following an eye injury to the lens. or in response to metabolic diseases such as diabetes. They develop slowly and painlessly with a gradual loss of vision.

Factors that may contribute to cataract development are low serum calcium levels, diabetes, long term use of corticosteroids [probably my case scenario], and other inflammatory and metabolic disorders. Other causes include trauma, radiation exposure, and excessive exposure to ultraviolet light [sunlight]. In some cases, the cause of cataracts is unknown but they do tend to run in families.

SYMPTOMS
Cataracts develop slowly and painlessly with a gradual loss of vision. Visual problems may start with difficulty seeing at night, halos around lights or glare when looking at lights, and finally, decreased visual acuity, even in daylight.

Cloudy, fuzzy, foggy, or filmy vision
Changes in the way you see color
Frequent changes in your eyeglass prescription
Impaired vision at night, especially while driving, caused by effects of bright lights
Problems with glare from lamps or the sun
Halos around lights
Double vision
White spot or cloudy spot in the lens of the eye

TREATMENT
Cataract treatment is done simply to improve vision. For some people changing their glasses, getting stronger bifocals, or using a magnifying lens is helpful enough. Others choose to have cataract surgery. If you are not bothered by a cataract, then treatment is usually not necessary. On occasion, there may be an additional eye problem that the doctor needs to see or treat and the cataract impairs the doctors view. In these cases, cataract surgery may be required to allow proper treatment of the other eye problem.

MY POINT of VIEW
Considering I had no clue I had cataracts until my last eye exam, they are not bothering me... or so I thought. I do have double vision from time to time but that may be due to the MS.

The biggest thing I have noticed is the seeing of extra colors. Occasionally when looking at white, I see it as a haze of pale pink or blue.

At this point in time my cataracts do not require any treatment.

2001 UPDATE
I continue to have a problem with seeing things that are white as pink or blue... lol... talk about your rose-colored glasses. And it seems I continually have a problem focusing. My vision is quite blurry and I find I am either blinking or cleaning my glasses in hopes of seeing better. Guess it's time to get to the eye doctor.

2002 UPDATE
Still need to see the eye doctor. In time I guess, in time. When I have the extra money I plan to see the eye doctor and the dentist but for now, the neurologist, endocrinologist, rheumatologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, and internist take the bulk of my money.

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You are listening to Memories from the musical Cats, written by
Andrew Lloyd Webber and T.S. Eliot. I felt this song was a perfect selection
for this site because of the affiliation I feel with Grizabella. Although for her,
it was age and not health issues that changed her, neither of us are who we
were before, on the outside, and it can affect how we feel on the inside.