Seniors See Cataract Surgery As Visionary Option Professor David J. Demko, PhD AgeVenture News Service 08-01-04 August is cataract surgery month. So how do you celebrate such a visionary event? The American Academy of Ophthalmology wants to remind people they don't have to live with vision loss from cataracts. Through new technological advances, cataract surgery today is faster, more effective and more comfortable for the patient. A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. This clouding up of the lens scatters light and prevents some light from reaching the retina, causing vision to blur. Cataracts form slowly and do not cause pain, but eventually impair vision and can lead to blindness. More than 20 million Americans over the age of 40 have cataracts, and more than 2 million people have cataract surgery each year in the United States. More than 95 percent of cataract surgeries are performed without complications and result in a significant improvement in vision. Academy spokesperson Edward J. Holland, MD, professor of ophthalmology, University of Cincinnati and director of cornea, Cincinnati Eye Institute, said, “Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world. However, in most cases, vision loss is reversible. New cataract surgery techniques have made cataract surgery one of the most successful procedures available in restoring patients' quality of life. Nearly half of all people will have a cataract by the time they are 65 years of age. In addition to aging, other causes of cataracts include: family history of cataract medical problems, such as diabetes injury to the eye medications, such as steroids high salt intake long-term unprotected exposure to sunlight previous eye surgery Can cataracts be prevented? Yes, according to Dr. Holland. "The most important thing you can do is to protect your eyes from ultraviolet light. When outside in daylight, wear wraparound sunglasses that block 100 percent of UVA and UVB, and wear a wide-brimmed hat," he said. Parents should also make sure their children, including infants, are protected from unltraviolet light. Ultraviolet exposure occurs over an entire lifetime. In addition, there is some evidence that eating a diet rich in antioxidants such as spinach, broccoli and eggs and taking vitamin E and C supplements may help reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Finally, there is good news for women taking estrogen as part of hormone replacement therapy. There is evidence that estrogen greatly decreases the risk of developing cataracts. The American Academy of Ophthalmology is an association of eye physicians and surgeons. For more information about eye health care, visit the Academy's partner web site at www.medem.com/eyemd. To find an Eye M.D. in your area, visit the Academy's web site at www.aao.org See related articles in AgeVenture archives. AgeVenture Headline News AgeVenture Lifestyle Features

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