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What Does the Doctor Do with Cataracts?

Someone who has vision trouble should see an eye doctor. The doctor can test the person's vision and examine the eyes. When a cataract first forms, a person may be able to see better by using stronger lighting and wearing glasses. Eventually, though, surgery may become necessary.

During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and usually replaced with a new plastic lens that a person can easily see through. After the surgery, a person may be able to see better or it may take a while for vision to improve. After surgery, the person will have to do a few special things, like use eyedrops.

Cataract surgery is one of the most common operations performed in the United States. More than 1 million surgeries are done every year. That's a lot of eyes!

Why Do People Get Cataracts?

Like wrinkles on a person's skin, cataracts go along with getting older. Cataracts might happen to someone who's 50 or they might not happen until someone is 70. Certain factors make it more likely someone will develop cataracts. Some are difficult to avoid, such as having diabetes and taking certain medications.

But kids and adults can do something about other risk factors, such as smoking, poor nutrition, eye injuries, and unprotected exposure to the sun. In other words, don't smoke, eat healthy, protect your eyes from injury, and wear your sunglasses!

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