Guide To Understanding the Different Types of Cataracts

You may have heard of cataracts and even people seeking surgery to alleviate their symptoms. If you don’t know what cataracts are, that might cause some anxiety. Thankfully, not all cataracts require such extensive treatment — in fact, many cases can be managed with a pair of glasses.

In this article, we’re sharing the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for different kinds of cataracts. If you’re wondering if you have cataracts and are considering consulting with a specialist, know you’re not alone. Cataracts aren’t just common — they’re also manageable.

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are a common eye condition, but they can turn your life upside down without treatment and care. They’re especially common in older adults but can affect folks of all ages.

Here’s what you need to know about cataracts:

How Do Cataracts Form?

Your eyes are equipped with a natural lens through which light passes. This helps you to focus on what you see. A cataract forms when the lens becomes clouded by a clump of proteins. These proteins can cause issues like blurred vision, extreme nearsightedness, and trouble seeing in low light.

The most common cause of cataracts is the natural aging process. However, other factors can also cause cataracts, like eye injuries and certain medical treatments.

How Common Are Cataracts?

Sadly, cataracts affect tens of millions of people in the U.S. alone. More than half of Americans over 80 either have active cataracts or have already had surgery to remove them.

They’re one of the most common causes of vision loss around the globe, and most people start to develop them between the ages of 40 and 50.

What Are Nuclear Sclerotic Cataracts?

Nuclear sclerotic cataracts are often brought on by aging. Sometimes called nuclear sclerosis, this type of age-related cataract usually starts developing in a person’s 40s and causes clouding and hardening of the lens in the eye.

Causes

Nuclear sclerosis develops when the innermost part of the lens (the nucleus) starts to harden and cloud. As the eye’s lens changes, a person’s vision becomes filmy, making it hard to see clearly.

Many people with nuclear sclerosis say that colors look less vivid, shadows are harder to perceive, and their night vision is worsened.

Symptoms

The most significant telltale sign of nuclear sclerosis is progressively worsening vision. People with this type of cataract might see haloes or glares around bright lights, making driving harder at night.

In addition, nuclear sclerosis can cause blurred vision, double vision, and a noticeable yellowing of the eye.

Treatment Options

The best treatment for nuclear sclerosis depends on how far the condition progresses. Some cataracts don’t call for treatment at all, while others might require cataract surgery. Sometimes, an eye doctor might prescribe eyeglasses to balance out vision problems caused by nuclear sclerosis. It all depends on how much vision impairment you experience.

Cataract surgery involves removing the affected eye's cloudy lens and replacing it with a new one. An ophthalmologist can help you decide whether eye surgery is right for you through an in-depth eye exam.

What Are Cortical Cataracts?

Cortical cataracts affect the outer layer of the eye's lens, the lens cortex, turning it opaque and making it harder to see clearly. They are the most common type of cataract for people with diabetes or hypertension.

Causes

Cortical cataracts can be caused by aging, but they often develop because of an injury or disease. They are sometimes a complication of glaucoma surgery and can also develop after chemotherapy for cancer. Exposure to too much sunlight without any eye protection can also cause cortical cataracts.

Symptoms

This type of cataract causes blurry vision, trouble perceiving colors, difficulty seeing far away, and sensitivity to glare.

Treatment Options

An ophthalmology specialist can help you find the best treatment options for cortical cataracts. They’ll most likely start the process with an eye exam, which they will use to determine whether you’re dealing with cortical cataracts or another eye issue.

Depending on the severity of your cataracts, your eye doctor might recommend surgery to replace the cloudy area in your eye with a specialized artificial lens. If your condition isn’t dramatically affecting your eye health, eyeglasses might be enough to manage your particular symptoms of cataracts.

What Are Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts?

These cataracts form at the outer edge of the lens, near the visual axis of the eye. They often resemble small spots with spoke-like lines extending from them.

Causes

Posterior subcapsular cataracts (PSCs) are often caused by aging but sometimes develop after a severe eye injury. Drinking too much alcohol is another risk factor for this type of cataract, and so is steroid use.

Symptoms

PSCs can cause blurry vision, issues with depth perception and seeing close up, halos around lights, and trouble perceiving contrast between colors and shadows.

Treatment Options

This type of cataract often requires surgery, but some people with PSCs may only need specialized glasses. As with the other types of cataracts, an eye doctor should always help you make the final decision on the best treatment options.

How Can You Avoid Cataracts?

We hate to bear bad news, but it’s hard to avoid cataracts altogether; they’re a natural part of the aging process. However, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of dealing with this common eye condition.

Protect Your Eyes From the Sun

Certain types of cataracts can develop because of too much sun exposure. That’s why we recommend wearing sunglasses (and maybe a hat) anytime you go out in direct sunlight. A cool pair of shades can elevate your personal style while protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays.

Avoid Eye Injuries

Cataracts sometimes develop after a serious eye injury, so it’s worth protecting your eyes when doing high-risk work. Wearing personal protective eyewear (PPE) is a must when handling harsh chemicals, using heavy-duty tools, or working in an environment with lots of dust or debris in the air.

Additionally, if you play contact sports, the best way to protect your eyes is with specialized PPE or a face mask.

Seek Treatment for Hypertension and Diabetes

Conditions that affect your blood pressure and blood sugar can sometimes cause cataracts and other problems without treatment. If you deal with diabetes or hypertension, make sure to book regular visits with your doctor for help with managing your symptoms.

When you take the time to take care of yourself, you’re investing in your overall health and protecting your eyes from cataracts. Those doctor’s visits might be an inconvenience, but they’re worth it to see clearly and avoid other issues.

Go to the Eye Doctor Regularly

Speaking of doctor’s visits, eye checkups are a must. We know you have a busy schedule and don’t want to add one more appointment to your list, but it’s smart to have your optometrist look at your eyes at least a few times annually.

During a routine eye exam, your optometrist will use specialized eye drops to dilate your eyes and get a closer look at your retinas. This test helps your eye doctor spot cataracts in their early stages of development, giving you a head start on treatment.

When Should You Get Surgery for Cataracts?

When cataracts get serious, they can make it extremely hard to see. Surgery may be the only way to achieve clear vision in some cases. Your eye doctor might recommend surgery if your cataracts make reading, driving, and seeing clearly throughout the day difficult.

You can prepare for surgery by following your ophthalmologist’s recommendations, including taking certain eye drops to avoid a post-op infection.

Additionally, cataract surgery can be expensive, even when you have insurance coverage. Make sure you ask your doctor plenty of questions about the total price, the nature of the procedure, and the timeline for recovery. You don’t want to be left in the dark about any aspect of your care.

Get the Care You Need for Cataracts

Cataracts can make it hard to see and may interfere with your everyday life, but they’re manageable with help from your eye doctor.

Whether you need glasses or surgery, at Pair, we believe that pursuing treatment is a worthwhile investment. Eye care is self-care, and your eyes deserve the best care you can give them.

If you need glasses to help with your cataracts, get a prescription from your optometrist. From there, you can plug that prescription into the Pair website and get a set of specs that fit you perfectly.

Our glasses are customizable in just about every way. You can pick frames that match your style, and we also offer plenty of lens options. That way, you can get the exact glasses that your eye doctor recommends.

Sources:

What Are Cataracts? | American Academy of Ophthalmology

Cataracts - Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation and Sun Exposure | US EPA

Posterior subcapsular cataract | American Academy of Ophthalmology