What Age Range Are Cataracts Most Common?

Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Cataracts, Uncategorized on November 6, 2023

One of the inevitable side effects of aging is getting cataracts. Everyone will eventually develop age-related cataracts that affect their vision. 

There’s no way to predict when cataracts will become a problem, but when they do, there is treatment to correct them. Keep reading to learn more about cataracts, including which age range cataracts are most common!

What Are Cataracts? 

Cataracts are a clouding on the lens of your eye. The lens is a disc of clear tissue that sits behind the iris, which is the colored part of the eye.

When cataracts develop, the clouding blocks light from passing through the lens and causes blurry vision. Cataracts can develop in one or both eyes. 

They may start very small and not cause noticeable vision changes. As the clouding spreads, vision will become more blurry. 

Most cataracts are age-related. You can also develop cataracts as a side effect of other health conditions such as diabetes, use of certain medications like steroids, or as the result of an injury to the eye. 

What Age Will I Begin to Develop Cataracts? 

There is no set age when cataracts start to develop. Most people who have age-related cataracts tend to develop them between the ages of forty and fifty, but cataracts can show up earlier or later. 

If you have close family members who have developed age-related cataracts, you can ask them about their experience and when they were diagnosed. That may give you some idea of your own risk and when to start looking for symptoms. 

What Are The Symptoms of Cataracts? 

In the beginning stages, cataracts may not cause any symptoms. You may only know you have them after your eye doctor notices them during a routine eye exam.

Over time, the clouding on the lens may increase, and you may notice changes in your vision, such as:

  • Cloudy or blurry vision
  • Distortion of vision
  • Double vision
  • Feeling like lights are too bright 
  • Light appears to give off a glare or a halo
  • Colors appear faded
  • Poor night vision
  • Increased nearsightedness
  • Frequent changes to eyeglass prescriptions

How Do I Know if I Have Cataracts? 

Since many of the symptoms of cataracts can have other causes, you should see an eye doctor to confirm that you have cataracts. Your eye doctor will ask you about any symptoms, ask about a family history of cataracts, and perform an eye exam. 

The exam will include tests of visual acuity. In addition, the ophthalmologist will use special eye drops to dilate your pupils. 

This allows the eye doctor to see the inner parts of the eye, including spotting any cataracts that may be present. Since pupil dilation is part of routine eye exams, your eye doctor may notice cataracts before they cause any symptoms.  

How Are Cataracts Treated?

If cataracts aren’t affecting your vision, there is nothing you need to do. Over time, the cataracts may cause minor vision changes that can be corrected with glasses or contacts.

Using a magnifying glass or brighter lighting for certain tasks may also help. For many people with advanced cataracts, cataract surgery is the best option. 

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure, and it’s very safe and effective. During cataract surgery, your eye doctor will give you eye drops to numb your eye. 

You may also want medication to help you relax during the procedure. Using special instruments, your ophthalmologist will remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear, artificial lens. 

Most people experience a noticeable improvement in their vision after cataract surgery. However, for some, it may take a few days to weeks to witness the full potential of their new vision.

Are you experiencing symptoms you think may be related to cataracts? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!


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Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Westside Surgery Center
13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more
EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center
12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more

Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Surgery Centers

Westside Surgery Center

13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more

EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center

12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more