To increase awareness of cataract, which remains the leading cause of vision loss in the United States, Prevent Blindness has declared June as Cataract Awareness Month. Cataract, a clouding of the lens of the eye, blocks or limits the passage of light into the eye. Cataracts may result in blurry or hazy vision and distorted perception of color. More than half of all Americans ages 80 and older have cataracts or have had surgery to remove them. Cataract may also occur in children, although the incidence is very low. Worldwide, cataract is the leading cause of blindness. The goal of this annual observance is to educate the public about risk factors, symptoms, types of cataract, and cataract surgery. Risk factors for developing this eye condition include such issues as age, excessive sun exposure, genetics, eye diseases such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, and smoking. To learn more, read the article For Cataract Awareness Month in June, Prevent Blindness Provides Educational Information and Resources on the Leading Cause of Vision Loss in the United States. For detailed information about cataract, including what they are, symptoms, causes, treatment, and more, visit the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health webpage on Cataracts.
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