At Bankers Fidelity, we’re not only concerned about life insurance policies and Medicare supplement plans. We pride ourselves in our commitment to helping you live a better, healthier, and more enjoyable life in any way that we can. To us, that means helping to share and spread information and awareness for various types of conditions and ailments that you or a loved one may encounter throughout your lifetime. June is Cataract Awareness Month, and while this is fortunately a non-fatal condition, it’s still crucial to learn more about, especially for anyone over 40 years of age.
According to Prevent Blindness America (PBA), the age of 40 is the “magic number” when it comes to the possibility of developing cataracts in both men and women. Approximately 22 million Americans 40 and up currently suffer from this condition and the PBA estimates that number will reach 30 million by 2020.
Cataracts are defined by the Mayo Clinic simply as “a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye.” Though there are certain risk factors and specific causes, the majority of cataract cases occur because of natural aging. According to AllAboutVision.com, there are three different types of cataracts: sub capsular cataracts, nuclear cataracts, and cortical cataracts. Where the cataract forms in the eye determines which type you’re dealing with.
Sub capsular cataracts form in the back of the eye’s lens and are more common in people with diabetes. Nuclear cataracts occur deep in the central zone (nucleus) and are the ones typically associated with aging. Cortical cataracts form in the periphery of the lens.
Technically, there is another type of known as congenital cataracts, which are appropriately named because a person is born with this condition. Various infections or conditions in the mother during pregnancy can cause this type of cataract to form in the child. While experts are still not even sure exactly the cause of cataracts all the time, there are some common risk factors. They include:
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Increasing age
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Diabetes
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Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
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Excessive exposure to sunlight
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Exposure to ionizing radiation, such as that used in X-rays and cancer radiation therapy
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Family history of cataracts
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Hypertension
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Obesity
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Smoking
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Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications
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Statin medicines used to reduce cholesterol
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Previous eye injury or inflammation
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Previous eye surgery
The best way to find out if you’ve developed a cataract is by seeing you eye doctor and getting examined. Fortunately, if you do develop them there are surgery options available. Your doctor can help you decide if that’s the right course of action for you. In the meantime, you can make your life a little easier by doing things like improving the lighting in your home, avoiding driving at night, and protecting your eyes from harsh, direct sunlight.
While there are no concrete ways to prevent cataracts from forming, most doctors agree that promoting and living a healthy lifestyle is the best technique. This means eating right, staying active, eliminating (or reducing) alcohol consumption and smoking, and having your eye regularly examined by a professional.
Bankers Fidelity is a traditional life insurance and Medicare supplement insurance provider, but helping our clients live healthy lives overall is a core value we hold dear. Use and share this information with your family and friends to help raise awareness of this common condition.
