Vermont Association for the Blind and
Visually Impaired (VABVI)

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Cataract Awareness Month

Although 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts, they are one of the most curable causes of vision loss.

To celebrate Cataract Awareness Month throughout January, the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VABVI) wants to increase awareness about cataracts and remind people they don't have to live with vision loss from cataracts.

A cataract is the clouding of the eye's normally clear lens, blocking the passage of light needed for vision. They form slowly and cause no pain. Some stay small and hardly affect vision, but if the cataract does grow and begin to affect your vision, it can usually be removed with surgery.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide; however, in most cases, vision loss from cataracts is reversible. New techniques developed over the past decade have made cataract surgery one of the safest and most successful procedures available in terms of restoring quality of life to patients. Each year there are over 1.6 million surgeries performed in the United States.

So how do you know if you have a cataract? Some people notice a gradual painless blurring of vision, double vision in one eye, fading or yellowing of colors. If you notice sensitivity to glare and bright light or trouble driving at night, you might have a cataract. Although cataracts usually develop as part of the aging process (more than half of all Americans develop cataracts by age 80), they can also result from:

• Eye injuries;
• Certain diseases, such as diabetes;
• Genetic inheritance;
• Certain medications;
• Frequent, unprotected exposure to UV-A and UV-B rays;
• Smoking.

The way to protect your eyes as much as possible is to be aware of cataracts and their symptoms, and get a yearly eye exam. This will ensure that your eyes remain healthy and detect any problems, such as cataracts, as soon as they appear.

VABVI was founded in 1926 with the assistance of Helen Keller and the American Foundation for the Blind. The organization is the only private, non-profit organization in the state providing comprehensive training and support services for visually impaired Vermonters of all ages. VABVI offices are located in Brattleboro, Burlington, Montpelier, and Rutland. Call 1-800-639-5861 or write general@vabvi.org for more information.