When you try to see an item, several different things happen within your eyes to allow you to see it clearly. First, light enters the pupil, then it focuses through the eye's lens and onto the retina. There are many issues in the eye that can occur along the way to make your vision less clear; one such condition is a cataract.

What Is A Cataract?

A cataract is the clouding of the normally clear lens. The eye’s lens is made of water and several proteins. As age increases, these proteins might begin clumping together, creating a cloud-like spot -- a cataract -- on the eye's lens, which can cause issues with your eyesight. If you think a cataract might be the cause of your vision problems, qualified eye surgeon who is experienced with Dallas cataract surgery can diagnose the problem and assess its severity.

Advancing age isn't the sole means of developing cataracts; the condition also may be related to family history, eye injury, certain eye diseases or prior eye surgery, medications such as excessive steroid use, or health issues like diabetes.

What Symptoms Are Associated With Cataracts?

Age-related cataracts will typically develop slowly over time, so the symptoms might not be picked up on immediately. The symptoms that might occur if you have cataracts include:

• Blurred, cloudy or dim vision

• Sensitivity to light; glare in bright light

• Difficulty seeing at night or in low light

• Color distortion

• Halos on lights

• Needing frequent prescription changes for glasses/contacts

• Experiencing double vision in one eye

How Should I Proceed If I Notice Cataract Symptoms?

If you think you have cataract symptoms, or vision issues of any kind, your first step should be to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. An eye exam will show whether you have cataracts or not.

A qualified eye doctor can conduct a total, dilated eye exam -- which mean the doctor will use eye drops to widen your pupils so he can completely diagnose any issues you might be having.

If cataracts are the diagnosis, here are some recommendations on what to do next:

• Have regular eye exams; every year if older than 65, otherwise every two years.

• Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses that block UV light.

• Quit smoking, since it is a key risk factor.

• Use brighter lights and even a magnifying glass for reading.

• Limit night driving if halos or glare become problems.

What Treatment Is There For Cataracts?

There is only one proven treatment method for cataracts, and that is surgery. Although there are some eyedrops and other "treatments" on the market that are advertised as removing cataracts, none of these has been proved to alleviate the condition. An experienced Dallas cataract surgeon can tell you if surgery is needed for your case.

Cataract surgery is typically looked at as a treatment option if the eye condition is causing vision problems that interfere with daily activities. Since there is no way to remove the cloudiness of the lens, the affected lens will need to be removed during your cataract surgery. An artificial lens implant, known as an intraocular lens (IOL), will be substituted for the natural lens. There are a few types of lens implants available. A Dallas cataract surgeon will be able to assist you in making the decision of which implant is best for you.