Show Cataracts Biggest Cause Of Blindness Cataract continues to head the list of causes of blindness in this country despite the 95 percent success rate of surgery its only known treat treat- ment mente ACCORDING to the Utah Society So So- Society for the Prevention of Blindness this is due to several several sev sev- eral unfortunate factors For one thing many cataract cataract cataract cata cata- sufferers are unaware that anything ng can be done about the condition and among older people with cataract loss of sight is frequently accepted as one of the consequences of aging Another factor is an unfounded fear of the treatment treatment treat treat- ment itself CATARACT is not as is commonly believed a film on the eyes eye's surface but is an actual clouding of the lens of the eye This clouding prevents the light rays which are essential to sight from entering the eye with the result that the individual with mature cataract cataract cataract cata cata- can determine only shades of light and dark and cannot perceive distinct images FIRST appearing as a small opaque spot in the pupil the cataract may develop until the entire lens is affected and the eye appears white grey-white in color Initially in addition to the visible physical change the cataract sufferer experiences blurred vision and as the cataract develops double vision and spots before the eyes The need for a frequent t t t t change in glasses may also be an indication that cataract is present If any of these symptoms is noticed an ophthalmologist ophthalmologist should be con con- THEA TREATMENT for cataract consists of the surgical removal removal removal re re- re- re moval of the clouded lens of the eye This surgery is safe and successful in 95 cases out of a hundred Following surgical treatment special glasses or contact lenses are worn as a substitute substitute sub sub- te for the eyes eye's lens without which the eye cannot focus BECAUSE basic ignorance of the facts surrounding cataract cataract cataract cata cata- and its treatment is to toa toa toa a great extent responsible for the high incidence of blindness blindness blindness blind blind- ness from this condition the Society carries on an intense program of public education around the country through distribution of informational materials to laymen and professionals pro pro- It is the Society's hope that eventually cataract will as assume assume as as- sume a far lesser role in inthe inthe inthe the causes of blindness in inthis inthis inthis this country THE TIlE UTAH Society is an affiliate of the National Society for the Prevention of Blind Blind- ness Founded in 1908 the National National National Na Na- Society is the oldest voluntary health agency nationally nationally nationally na na- na- na engaged in the prevention pre pre- v of blindness through a comprehensive program of community services public and professional education and research H |