Know Your Eyes: What are Cataracts?

cataracts awareness month

cataracts awareness month

June is Cataracts awareness month – so throughout the month, we’ll be supplying you with everything you need to know about cataracts, how it affects your vision, and what you can do to treat and prevent it.

First things first – What is Cataracts?

Similar to a camera, you eyes have lenses that sit right behind your iris (the colored part of your eye). Your eye’s lens bends light rays and allows your eyes to form clear images at the back of your eye, at the retina. In essence your eye’s lens is what helps you to see clearly.

Cataracts are when that lenses behind your irises become cloudy. Cataracts do not allow light to pass through the lens to eventually reach your retina for sight.

Cataracts develop over time and start with small impacts to your vision like glare and diminished contrasts and color sensitivity. If untreated, cataracts can over time become more severe and lead to decreased vision and even blindness.

Want to learn more? Check out the Cataracts Myth Fact Sheet from Prevent Blindness America.

If you are having problems with your vision, come see us! Schedule an eye exam online today!