Why do elderly people's eyes become cloudy?
Dec 09, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Cui Xin
Introduction
Cloudy vision in elderly individuals may be caused by cataracts, which are a common eye condition among older adults. The most effective way to treat cloudy vision is through surgery—removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a clear artificial intraocular lens. It is also important to reduce eye strain in daily life by avoiding excessive use of the eyes, limiting television viewing, and not staying up late, to prevent worsening of the cloudiness.
The cloudiness in an elderly person's eyes may be caused by cataracts, which is a common eye condition among older adults.
Cloudiness in the eyes of seniors is primarily due to cataracts. It typically presents as a gray or yellow appearance in the visible pupil area, accompanied by blurred vision. Cataracts result from liquefaction and degeneration of the lens, leading to its cloudiness. This is an age-related condition that affects most individuals as they age, commonly known as senile cataract. Depending on the location of the cataract, it can be classified into cortical cataract, nuclear cataract, and posterior subcapsular cataract. Cortical cataracts start at the periphery and gradually spread across the entire pupil area, significantly impairing vision in most cases. In early stages, nuclear cataracts appear as brownish-yellow clouding of the lens; as the disease progresses, the pupil area becomes cloudy with a yellow-white hue. Posterior subcapsular cataracts may not show obvious external signs but cause the most significant decline in vision. The most effective treatment for lens cloudiness is surgery—removing the cloudy natural lens and replacing it with a clear artificial intraocular lens.
To prevent worsening of eye cloudiness, it's important to reduce eye strain, avoid excessive visual tasks, limit television viewing, and refrain from staying up late.
