A cataract is a cloudy lens. It is a medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, resulting in blurred vision.

After 40, you will develop this eye condition and sadly, 51% of people have gone blind.

Cataracts is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. They affect millions of people, starting at the age of 40 and especially those over the age of 60.

More than 100 thousand cases are reported in Nigeria every year.

In this article, we'll discuss the prevalence of cataracts, their causes, and ways to prevent them

Cataracts Meaning and causes
Cataracts is the clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye.
Most cataracts develop slowly over the course of years.

What is the main cause of cataracts
Most cataracts are related to age — they happen because of normal changes in your eyes as you get older. But you can get cataracts for other reasons — like after an eye injury or after surgery for another eye problem (like glaucoma).

What are the signs and symptoms of cataracts?
• Cloudy or blurry vision.
• Lights are too bright and/or give off a glare or a halo.
• Poor night vision.
• Multiple (double) vision.
• Colors seem faded.
• Increased nearsightedness, increasing the need to change eyeglass prescriptions.
• Distortion of vision in either eye.

Prevalence / How common is cataracts?
According to the World Health Organization, cataracts account for 51% of world blindness.
95% of cataracts occur after the age of 40.
3.8 Million people in India go blind every year. There is no available data for Nigeria other than the 100 thousand reported cases in Nigeria every year.

Causes of Cataracts
Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, leading to blurred vision and eventual blindness if left untreated.

They can be caused by:
·aging
·genetics
·diabetes
·injury to the eye
·exposure to UV radiation

Prevention
Since age is the biggest factor, cataracts are inevitable.
Eventually, almost everyone will develop cataracts.

To delay cataract development:
·wear sunglasses
·quit smoking
·eat fruits and vegetables
·manage chronic health conditions such as diabetes

Treatment
If you are diagnosed with cataracts, surgery may be necessary to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one.

This procedure is typically safe and effective, with a high success rate in restoring vision.

Cataracts are a common and serious eye condition that can lead to blindness if left untreated.

While some risk factors cannot be changed, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing cataracts.

See an optometrist if you notice cloudiness in your vision