Cataract: Types, Causes, and Risk Factors

An older woman is pinching her eyes in discomfort. She is holding her glasses in one hand

Cataracts come in many different forms and are caused by various factors, but they all have something in common. They can cause damage to your vision – even leading to blindness. In order to seek proper medical treatment—including potential cataract surgery in Jacksonville, FL—you need to know the differences and the common symptoms such as blurred vision changes in-depth perception or night vision, seeing halos, and double vision.

Nuclear Cataracts

This type is the most common form of the disease. It begins in the nucleus or the center of the lens of the eye and slowly progresses over time to further deteriorate your vision. First, you’ll notice needing more light to see well, blurry vision, and increased halos and glares. 

Cortical Cataracts

Cortical cataracts start to form on the outer edges of the eye and then gradually move towards the center. They initially appear as white wedges, and they can make glare worse, scattering the light that enters your eye. Besides difficulty with glare, the other main symptoms typically include hazy vision and problems with depth perception.

Posterior Capsular Cataracts

With posterior capsular cataracts, the first thing you’ll notice is either increased difficulty with reading or issues with night vision. This type of cataract tends to progress much more quickly than other types. People who have diabetes or nearsightedness are at a greater risk of developing posterior capsular cataracts so it is especially important for these groups at risk to schedule annual exams with their eye doctors. To find board-certified ophthalmologists in Jacksonville, Florida, look no further than Florida Eye Specialists! 

Congenital Cataracts

As the name suggests, congenital cataracts are present in a person from the time of birth, making them significantly different and less common than other forms of cataracts which tend to develop with age. They form due to genetic reasons or certain diseases the mother contracts while the fetus is in the womb. Some mild cases of congenital cataracts may not require treatment, but more serious instances will need to be removed surgically or else they risk hindering the child’s eye development.

Traumatic Cataracts

A variety of injuries or accidents can cause traumatic cataracts. Chemicals or foreign objects can hurt your vision. They may appear very soon after the injury, but it is also possible that they can appear months or years later, so let your doctor or ophthalmologists know if you have had any previous eye injuries.

Cataracts can develop for many different reasons, and time is of the essence when they do start to form. Whether they develop gradually or out-of-the-blue, they can all lead to blindness if left untreated. It is crucial to see a cataract specialist before it’s too late. 

Florida Eye Specialists in Jacksonville FL are the cataract experts and can work with you to determine the best course of treatment in order to reverse and/or prevent any eye damage. Request an appointment with Florida Eye Specialists to meet with the best cataract surgeons in Jacksonville FL.

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