Cataract is an eye condition in which the lens becomes opaque thereby making images look blurry, hazy and less colorful. According to World Health Organization (WHO), cataracts are the leading cause of blindness globally. They are the most common cause of visual impairment in Nigeria.
The incidence of cataracts increases with age but individuals can develop cataracts at any age due to injury, diabetes, prolonged exposure to sunlight, poor diet, medications or genetics.
Cataracts interfere with the normal daily living activities of affected individuals such as reading and driving. Good news is that they are treatable. The only proven treatment for cataracts is surgery. Early detection and treatment can help prevent vision loss.
The month of June has been declared Cataract Awareness Month and is an excellent time to learn more about cataracts and schedule an eye examination.
