A cataract is one of the leading causes of blindness among people, especially with older age. The prevalence of cataracts increases with age, ranging from 3.9% among 55–64 years to 92.6% among those 80 years and older. This article summarises if cataracts can be dangerous and how it is dangerous.
Do cataracts pose any danger?
Yes. Cataract can be dangerous, if left untreated. These grow slowly and don’t disturb your eyesight initially. But with time, cataracts eventually interfere with your vision. This will make a person more susceptible to accidents and falls due to vision impairment, impacting the quality of life. Not just this, if not treated promptly, they can progress and become more difficult to remove surgically. This can increase the risk of complications during cataract surgery, such as infection or damage to the eye. Lastly, it can lead to blindness.
How is cataract dangerous?
Cataract, the clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye, initially isn’t symptomatic but can be dangerous as it progresses. While early-stage cataracts may not significantly impact daily life, advanced cataracts can lead to significant vision impairment that can make it difficult to perform even the simplest of tasks, such as reading, driving, or recognizing faces.
Although cataracts are not contagious, they can cause significant vision loss if left untreated. In advanced cases, cataracts can cause partial or total blindness, which can have a profound impact on a person’s quality of life. People with untreated cataracts are also at greater risk of falls and accidents, especially in older adults.
They can be hazardous to you and those around you. The failure to treat cataract timely can lead to substantial disruption in daily life and hinder normal activities such as driving or watching television. They can cause glare and halos around lights, making it difficult to see clearly while driving at night. Ultimately, it can culminate in total vision loss.
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