NewYork-Presbyterian. The University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell.

-- About 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts, one of the most curable causes of vision loss. And more than half of all persons in the US develop cataracts by age 80.

During August’s Cataract Awareness Month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and Eye M.D.s around the nation want to remind people they do not have to live with cataracts.

A cataract is the clouding of the eye's normally clear lens, blocking the passage of light needed for vision.

Cataracts form slowly and cause no pain. Some stay small and hardly affect vision, but if the cataract does grow and begin to affect vision, it can usually be removed with surgery.

According to the National Eye Institute, a cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other.

Cataract Treatment, Prognosis is Favorable

The AAO states that cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. But, 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, according to the AAO.

Physician experts from the AAO say there are no drugs or exercises that will make a cataract disappear, and contrary to popular belief, cataracts are not removed using lasers. However, lasers may be used in follow-up procedures, if needed. For example, lasers may be used to remove film that may grow on the lens implant.

Cataract surgery is the most common surgical procedure in the US, with more than 1.6 million procedures performed each year. The AAO states that new advances and techniques have made cataract surgery one of the most successful and life-improving surgical procedures.

Cataract surgery is most often performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, according to the AAO. The cloudy natural lens can be replaced with an artificial lens to give the eye proper focusing power. In most cases, the improvement in vision is profound.

Although it is very safe and effective, having cataract surgery is a major decision and you need to carefully decide if it is right for you. If the cataract does not interfere with your life, you may decide surgery is not warranted. The AAO's advice is to talk to your Eye M.D. if cataracts are interfering with your lifestyle.

Talk to Your Physician

According to the National Eye Institute, the most common symptoms of a cataract are:

• cloudy or blurry vision
• colors seem faded
• glare from headlights, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright
• a halo appearing around lights
• poor night vision
• double vision or multiple images in one eye (this symptom may clear as the cataract gets larger)
• frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses

These symptoms can also be a sign of other eye problems. If you have any of these symptoms, check with your eye care professional.

The AAO states there are no medications or exercises that will prevent the formation or progression of cataracts, nor are there any to make a cataract disappear.

Nutritional or vitamin supplements have been shown to be beneficial in populations with nutritional deficits. Due to the inconsistent results reported in clinical trials, more specific recommendations cannot be made at this time.

However, the American Dietetic Association reports that studies have looked at how antioxidant compounds like vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene can prevent or at least delay cataract formation.

The results of the studies are still preliminary, but it appears the more fruits and vegetables you eat, the more benefits you reap. In addition, whole grains, vegetable oils, and other foods rich in vitamin E also seem to help.

Always consult your physician for more information.