Eye Problems With age, the risk of a cataract increases

Cataract: With age, the risk of cataract increases
The cataract is one of the most common eye diseases in Germany. With age, the risk increases to contract the so-called cataract. Certain factors, such as nutrition, can reduce the risk. If vision diminishes, a doctor should be consulted.

Like the view through a veil
The constant feeling of looking through a veil or mist can point to the so-called cataract. In this eye disease, there is a clouding of the lens. "The signs may be blurred vision and 'how-of-a-fog' vision," says the patient information portal of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).

If you constantly feel like looking through a veil or fog, this may be a sign of cataracts. The eye disease can not be treated by medication. However, the affected lens can be replaced with an artificial one. (Image: stefan_weis / fotolia.com)

Especially common eye disease
According to the "German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) - Society of Ophthalmology" counts the gray cat with nearly ten million sufferers to the most common eye diseases in Germany. As the disease progresses, vision diminishes, colors and contrasts blur more and more.

With age, the risk of cataract increases. However, a distinction is made between the typical "age cataract" and other forms such as cataract in systemic diseases (e.g., diabetes mellitus) or drug-induced cataract.

Drug treatment is not available
Without treatment, blindness can sometimes occur. There is no drug therapy. "The affected lens can be removed by surgery and replaced with an artificial lens," says the IQWiG. The vision can usually be largely restored.

Quitting smoking reduces the risk of cataracts
Meanwhile, it is also known that factors such as smoking or nutrition have an influence on the risk of developing cataracts. For example, British researchers recently reported that cataracts are caused by diet in women and that high levels of vitamin C intake can provide protection against the disease.

A smoking waiver also reduces the risk of cataracts, reported Swedish researchers. (Ad)