Clouding of the eye lens by a cataract is an important and preventable cause of impaired vision and blindness. Cataracts start out small and may involve a little blurred vision or light from the sun or lamp may seem too bright or colors may not seem as bright. Most cataracts are related to aging so they are very common in older people. Other risk factors would be: certain diseases such as diabetes; smoking and alcohol use; prolonged exposure to sunlight. The symptoms of early cataract may be improved with new eyeglasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses. If these measures do not help, surgery is the only effective treatment. Surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens.
Hormonal replacement is supplemental hormonal therapy with synthetic estrogen, usually including a progestin. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) relieves climacteric symptoms and may protect against osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease. HRT increases risk for cardiovascular disease, breast and endometrial cancer, and stroke. A decision to use HRT may depend on a woman's individual views of the menopausal transition, the postmenopausal phase, and its consequences. Health providers and patients should be thoroughly informed about the symptoms associated with hormonal deprivation.
1 Lindblad BE, Hakansson N, Philipson B, et al. Hormone replacement therapy in relation to risk of cataract extraction: a prospective study of women.Ophthalmology. 2010;117(3):424-30.