Cataracts developing in younger patients; early detection is key

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Wendy Loll loved to cut a rug with her dance group, but the 40-something-year-old ended up missing several practices.

It wasn't long until her eye doctor, Dr. Jeffrey Whitman of Key-Whitman Eye Center in Dallas, Texas, diagnosed her with cataracts, a condition usually considered to be part of old age.

"What we are seeing is we see cataracts at an earlier age much more than we used to. Now part of that may be detection, we can detect them earlier," Whitman said.

In order to diagnose someone with cataracts, Whitman uses a new device called an HD Analyzer, which puts a low-level laser into the retina and measures light scatter. The scatter can help indicate early signs of cataracts.

Whitman corrects the problem with surgery, which involves inserting high-tech lenses to help a person's vision get back to 20-20.

Loll said she is happy to have her perfect sight back and can't wait to cut loose with her group.

"I would definitely recommend to get [your eyes] checked out. Don't be afraid, get it taken care of. It's no big deal and your eyes are precious," Loll said.

Doctors said some reasons why younger people may develop cataracts could be sun exposure, medications, food additives and preservatives. According to the National Eye Institute, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery by age 80.