eye disorders
Cataract
Key Points
Modifiable risk factors for cataract include exposure to ultraviolet light; use of alcohol, tobacco, and systemic corticosteroids; and poor control of blood glucose. Symptoms include loss of contrast, glare (halos and starbursts around lights), and eventually visual blurring. Diagnosis is by examination with the eye dilated. Surgical removal and placement of an intraocular lens are usually indicated if the cataract contributes to visual loss that interferes with activities of daily living, causes bothersome glare, or reaches certain degrees of severity (eg, best-corrected visual acuity worse than 20/40). 