Most American adults have heard about cataracts, the clouding of your eye lens that typically happens as part of aging. But fewer people have heard of traumatic cataracts, those caused by injury to the eye. Below, we explore this type of traumatic eye damage and the treatment available to you at Clarity Vision Eye Care Centers in North Carolina and Virginia.

Clarity Vision Eye Care Centers have six locations available to serve you. At each location you can schedule a routine eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist. You can also find a vast selection of contact lenses, eyeglasses and sunglasses. These locations include:

• Smithfield, NC

• Apex, NC

• Williamston, NC

• Holly Springs, NC

• Clayton, NC

• Suffolk, VA
   

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is cloudiness appearing on the lens of your eye. This cloudy spot obstructs your view, making your vision appear frosty or foggy. The cloudiness generally develops slowly.

Cataracts form for a variety of reasons. These include:

• Aging

• Medical conditions

• Genetics

• Past eye conditions

• Injury

• Long-term use of steroid medications

You can initially see through your cataracts by using more light or wearing glasses. But over time, the clouding worsens and leads to obstructed vision. As your cataracts worsen, you will find it harder to read, drive or see objects clearly. Thankfully, cataract surgery is one of the most common eye treatments performed today. In just 24 hours after your surgery, you can have unobstructed vision again.
 

What is a Traumatic Cataract?

A traumatic cataract is one caused by injury to your eye. Blunt force trauma or trauma that penetrates the eye’s lens commonly cause this clouding by damaging lens fibers.

Some of the most typical causes of traumatic cataracts include:

• Infrared or laser lights

• Electric sparks

• Head injury

• Prolonged exposure to UV rays

• Radiation

• Eye rupture

Like lens clouding caused by other factors, traumatic cataracts cause burry vision. They can also cause pain or discomfort, redness in the eye, cornea infection and swelling.

Some risk factors can make you more vulnerable to traumatic cataracts. These factors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes and head injury. Other risks include spending too much time in the sun without eye protection, eye injury, extended use of steroids and radiation treatment.

Because prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause traumatic cataracts, it is important to protect your eyes when outside. Clarity Vision locations each offer a broad selection of non-prescription and prescription sunglasses. We also offer other eye protection to protect your eyes from injury or trauma.
 

Types of Traumatic Cataracts

There are multiple types of traumatic cataracts. These include:
 

Blunt Trauma

This clouding occurs when an object or force collides with your eye but does not penetrate or cut the lens. This trauma includes being punched in the eye, a ball or other projectile hitting the eye or a fall. The impact can cause immediate damage or a traumatic cataract that takes time to form. Frequently, this is a common type of sports related eye injury.
 

Penetrating Trauma

When a sharp object hits the eye, going through the cornea to the lens, an immediate traumatic cataract can form.
 

Chemical Trauma

When toxic chemicals enter the eye, the resulting trauma can damage the lens fibers and cause a traumatic cataract to form.
 

Radiation Trauma

Exposure to radiation can damage your vision and rupture your eye lens. Although the cloudiness typically takes a lengthy period of time to appear after the radiation exposure, traumatic cataracts often form. Children are highly vulnerable to this type of vision damage.
 

Treatment for Traumatic Cataracts

Your eye doctor at Clarity Vision will conduct an eye exam to determine whether you have traumatic cataracts. You may not yet have symptoms of this condition when your optometrist or ophthalmologist finds these cloudy spots. In many cases, patients do not need immediate surgery. The type and timing of your treatment depends on your overall eye health and severity of your vision clouding.

If you suspect you have damaged your eye or notice vision cloudiness, it is important to see your Clarity Vision eye doctor for an eye exam. Even with clear vision it is also important to schedule routine eye exams. Regularly visiting your optometrist is the best way to ensure you maintain your best eye health. Schedule your next appointment at Clarity Vision today.