CATARACT – CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, RISKS, AND TREATMENT

What is Cataract?

The most common curable cause of visual problems in old age worldwide is a cataract. It results in the clear natural crystalline lens becoming clouded, which lowers visual clarity. It’s similar to peering through a frozen window.

The majority of cataracts are age-related, commonly known as senile cataracts, and they typically affect both eyes. However, occasionally they might only impact one eye. Your vision will be affected by a cataract over time. You may require cataract surgery if your diminished vision makes it difficult for you to carry out your everyday activities.

What Causes Cataracts?

The components of the crystalline lens of the eye are proteins and water. Light can travel through the lens and the protein helps to maintain its clarity. Cloudiness is caused by the breakdown of these proteins caused by cataract surgery. Cataracts have a number of underlying reasons in addition to age. Among them are

> Ultraviolet light emitted by the sun and other sources

> Diabetes Tobacco

> Extended usage of drugs containing corticosteroids

> Ocular injury

> Inflammation or infection of the eyes

> Prior ocular surgery

> Radiation treatment

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

The pace at which cataracts progress in the eyes can differ. It is possible to have normal vision in one eye and visual complaints in the other. In addition, the following symptoms could be present:

> Cloudy vision

> Seeing poorly at night or in dim light

> The lamp or sun’s light appears excessively bright or harsh.

> Heightened light sensitivity.

> Driving at night is challenging because of headlight glare.

> Vision haloes surrounding glaring lights.

> Dual perception.

> Colors could seem muted.

> Regularly altering the prescription for glasses

What are cataract related risk factors?

The following are some factors that may raise your risk of cataracts:

> Advanced age Heavy alcohol use

> Smoking and Obesity

> Prior injury to the eyes

> Cataracts in the family history

> Overexposure to the sun Diabetes

What are the different types of cataracts?

The prevalent varieties of cataracts are as follows:

Nuclear cataracts: Affects the lens’s center, progressively getting worse and impairing vision.

Cortical cataracts: These cataracts resemble wedges and start close to the lens’s edge before moving into its center.

Congenital cataracts are opacities in the lens of one or both eyes that exist from birth. If they are more severe, they must be surgically removed, however they can be extremely small and don’t necessarily impair vision.

Trauma-induced cataracts: These form following an ocular injury and frequently take the form of a “rosette” or flower-petal shape.

Affect the center back surface of the lens directly in the direction of light, posterior subcapsular cataracts. These typically grow more quickly than the others.

How to prevent cataracts?

There is a lack of research to support methods for delaying or preventing cataract development. However, a few tactics could be useful, such as:

Frequent eye exams: Early detection of cataracts and other eye conditions can be achieved with regular eye exams.

Give up smoking: Research indicates that smokers have a higher risk of cataract development than non-smokers. Make every attempt to stop smoking, including using medication or counseling.

Handle further medical issues – The risk of cataracts can be raised by diabetes or other medical problems. Keeping to a treatment schedule can help lower the risk of cataract development.

A balanced diet that includes an abundance of fruits and vegetables has been shown to reduce the risk of cataract development. Antioxidants, which are abundant in fruits and vegetables, support eye health maintenance.

Sunglasses: UVB-blocking sunglasses can lessen the amount of UVB radiation that enters the eyes, which can delay the formation of cataracts.

Limit your alcohol intake: Drinking too much alcohol can raise your risk of cataracts.

Conclusion:

At Elite Eye Hospital, the best treatment for cataracts typically involves a surgical procedure called phacoemulsification. During this procedure, the cloudy lens is broken into small pieces and removed, then replaced with an artificial lens implant. This surgery is minimally invasive, with a quick recovery time and high success rates. Elite Eye Hospital employs experienced ophthalmologists and state-of-the-art technology to ensure optimal outcomes for cataract patients.