Can Cataract Cause Intermittent Clouded Vision?

A most common cause behind loss of vision among people above 40 years of age, cataract is characterised by clouded eye lens which is situated behind the iris and the pupil of the eye. Our eye lens within the eye works similar to a camera lens by focusing light on the retina so as to obtain a clear image. It also adjusts the focus of our eye to see objects which are close and far from our vision. This highly efficient lens is particularly made up of water and proteins, arranged in such a way that it is clear and allows efficient passing of light through it. However, with passing age, these proteins tend to clump together and begin clouding small areas of the lens which eventually grow larger to cloud more part of the lens, making normal vision challenging.

What can cause the clouding of vision?
While it is a debatable topic on how and why the eye's lens changes as one age to form cataracts, there are many factors which have been identified as potential causal factors with a certain level of association to its development. Thus, besides an advancing age, cataract can also result from,
- Frequent exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiations from sunlight or other sources
- Lifestyle conditions like obesity, diabetes, hypertension
- Addictions such as Smoking, alcoholism
- Eye injuries or any type of inflammation
- Certain long term medications
- Hormone replacement therapies
- Family History

Symptoms of Cataract
The most common symptom of cataract is blurred or cloudy vision along with it you may also experience,
- Viewing of colours in faded shades
-Sunlight, lamps, headlights, may tend to appear too bright
- Appearance of halo around lights
-Poor and blurred night vision

As cataract starts getting larger, one may also experience double or multiple images in the affected eye. Frequent changes in prescription of eyeglasses and contact lenses magnifies. While these are some of the symptoms seen in case of cataract, there might be other eye problems that need an eye care professional's assistance for a reliable confirmation.

Cataract Types
Though much related to ageing, cataract has different types which are characterised on the basis of its development.
-Secondary Cataract Formed after surgeries conducted due to other eye problems, this type can also develop in individuals suffering from Diabetes.
-Congenital Cataract This type is mostly seen in babies where majority cases are born with it or develop in childhood. It's found to affect the child's eyes, with no considerable effect on vision.
-Traumatic Cataract Develops due to eye injuries.
- Radiation Cataract Develops due to over exposure to certain radiations.

How to detect cataract?
Detection of cataract is purely done through a comprehensive examination of the affected eye. This majorly includes,
- Visual test, wherein the individual is asked to read an eye chart to analyse how well one can see at varying distances.
- Through Dilated eye examination wherein eye drops are used to widen/dilate the pupils. The professional then examines the lens to check for any signs of damage to the retina.
- Use of Tonometer helps in mea suring the pressure within the eye

Treatment of cataract
When the symptoms start appearing, one may confuse it with other problems of eye like requirement of improving vision aiding spectacles. However, once cataract is detected, surgical removal of the clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens is the best treatment. Moreover, cataract surgery are highly successful in restoring vision, thereby also decreasing the chances of any further damage that may occur in the eye and its other parts.