Cataract Awareness

August is Cataract Awareness Month. A cataract is a condition that clouds your eye’s lens. Over time, this clouding makes it difficult to see, read or do other normal activities. Cataracts are most common in people over age 50. Although cataracts often go along with getting older, there are some things you can do to help prevent them. And if you develop cataracts, they can usually be removed through surgery. Visit the following Web sites to learn more about cataracts, their symptoms, treatment and prevention.

http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp: National Eye Institute – Visit this Web site to learn more about the different types of cataracts, possible causes and risk groups. On the National Eye Institute Web site, you can also find information about how your doctor detects cataracts and how they can be removed with surgery.

http://www.visionconnection.org/Content/YourVision/EyeDisorders
/Cataract/default.htm: VisionConnection – A resource to help people overcome the challenges of vision problems, this Web site provides lots of information about cataracts. Read about cataracts symptoms, risk groups, treatment and surgery. This easy-to-understand site includes many illustrations and photos.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cataracts/DS00050: Mayo Clinic – The Mayo Clinic Web site offers tips on cataracts self-care and prevention, advises when to see your eye doctor, and explains how he or she screens and detects cataracts. The information on this site is organized in brief and simple chapters that are also available in large print.

http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=familydoctor&lic=44&article_set=22050: KidsHealth at familydoctor.org – Cataracts affect 70% of all American adults over age 75. This condition may interfere with simple, everyday activities such as reading or driving. If a close relative has cataracts and you are not sure how to explain this condition to your child, visit KidsHealth.org. This site uses simple, easy-to-understand language to help kids understand cataracts.

http://www.medem.com/medlb/articleslb.cfm?sub_cat=119: Medem – This resource includes short articles about cataracts and cataract surgery from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS).