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A Complete Guide To Cataracts

Medpho Team March 30, 2023

Cataracts are the blurring of the lens of your eye, which is naturally clear. The majority of cataracts gradually worsen over time, causing symptoms such as hazy vision.

Cataracts can be removed surgically through an outpatient surgery that restores vision in almost everyone.

The naturally clear lens of your eye becomes clouded by cataracts. The majority of cataracts gradually worsen over time, producing symptoms including hazy vision.

Almost everyone can have their vision restored after having cataracts surgically removed in an outpatient procedure.

This blog contains all the detailed information about cataracts.

cataracts

What Is Cataract?

Cataract is a blurring or clouding of the eye's lens. Normally, this area is clear. This clouding prevents light rays from entering through the lens and focussing on the retina as it occurs. The tissue lining of the retina is light-sensitive and is situated at the rear of the eye.

Cloudiness develops when some of the protein that makes up the eye's lens starts to change its structure. Then, it obstructs your vision.

In its initial stages, a cataract may not cause an issue. The haziness may affect only a small part of the lens. However, the cataract may enlarge with time and affect more of the lens. This can make it more tough for you to see.

If minimal light reaches the retina, it becomes even harder to see. Your vision may become dull, hazy, and blurry. Cataracts cannot spread from one eye to the next. Many individuals do, however, get cataracts in both eyes.

What are the Cataracts Symptoms?

The following are the common cataracts symptoms:

  • Hazy & blurry vision
  • Difficulty seeing at night
  • Viewing colors as faded
  • Increased sensitivity to glare
  • Halos surrounding lights
  • Double vision experience in the affected eye
  • a need for routine lens replacements for prescription glasses

You may not see the changes in your eyesight in the early stages of the condition. Your eyesight will worsen gradually since cataracts typically grow slowly. Additionally, certain cataracts may temporarily improve your close-up eyesight.

But as the cataract progresses, your vision is probably going to get worse. Cataract symptoms can resemble those of other eye disorders. Consult a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis of cataracts.

You might not notice any changes in your vision in the early stages of the disease. Your eyesight will get worse gradually since cataracts typically grow slowly.

Additionally, certain cataracts may temporarily improve your close-up eyesight. But as the cataract grows, your vision will probably get worse. Cataract symptoms can resemble those of other eye disorders.

Consult our expert doctor on #BasEkCall 88569-88569 for a cataract diagnosis.

What Causes Cataracts?

There are several possible causes of cataracts. These include:

  • An excess of oxidants, which are oxygen molecules that have undergone chemical modification as a result of everyday life
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Trauma
  • Use of Steroids and other medications
  • Use of Certain diuretics
  • Excessive exposure to the sun
  • Radiation therapy

What are the types of Cataracts?

There are many types of cataracts:

Nuclear Cataracts (cataracts impacting the center of the lens): A nuclear cataract may initially make you more nearsighted or even temporarily improve your reading vision. But as time passes, the lens gradually becomes more yellow and further clouds your vision.

As the cataract slowly worsens, the lens may even turn brown. Advanced lens yellowing or browning might make it challenging to discriminate between various colour tones.

Cortical Cataracts (Cataracts that impact the edges of the lens): The very first signs of a cortical cataract are whitish, wedge-shaped opacities or streaks on the cortex's periphery of the lens. The streaks reach to the centre of the lens as it slowly advances and block light from entering the centre of the lens.

Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts (Cataracts that impact the back of the lens): A posterior subcapsular cataract starts as a small, opaque spot that usually develops near the back of the lens, directly in the direction of light.

A posterior subcapsular cataract frequently impairs your ability to read, reduces your vision in strong light, and results in glare or haloes around nighttime lights. These cataracts typically advance more quickly than other forms.

Congenital Cataracts (Birth defects in the eyes): Some people are born with cataracts or get them during childhood. These cataracts may be hereditary or linked with intrauterine infection, injury or trauma.

These cataracts may also be due to certain diseases, such as myotonic dystrophy, galactosemia, neurofibromatosis type 2 or rubella. Congenital cataracts do not always impact vision, but if they do, they're often removed as soon as they are detected.

cataract symptoms

Who is at Risk for Cataracts?

The following factors raise your risk of cataracts:

  • Older age
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Increase blood pressure (B.P)
  • Past eye trauma
  • A cataract-related family history
  • Excessive exposure to sun
  • Diabetes
  • Exposure to radiation from cancer treatments and X-rays
  • Consistent intake of corticosteroid medications
  • Drinking high amounts of alcohol

How are cataracts diagnosed?

In addition to a detailed medical information and an eye exam, tests to detect cataracts may include:

Visual Acuity Test: The standard eye chart test measures vision ability at various distances.

Pupil Dilation: The pupil is enlarged with eye drops to allow a close-up exam of the eye's retina.

Your eye care specialist may also perform further tests to learn more about your eye's structure and health.

Contact our expert healthcare provider if you have any issues regarding cataracts. #BasEkCall at 88569-88569.

What is the cataract treatment?

If your cataract symptoms are minor, you might require a new prescription for glasses or contacts. Cataracts usually get worse with time, though. Eventually, your doctor will probably advise surgery for cataract treatment.

Cataract Surgery: One of the most common procedures is cataract surgery, and it is also among the most effective and secure. The clouded lens is replaced with a fresh lens during surgery.

Removing both cataracts at once is not typical if you have them in both eyes. The surgery must be performed on each eye separately by your healthcare provider.

Cataract surgery is generally highly safe and successful most of the time. Few risks associated with cataract surgery include infection, bleeding, and retinal detachment, though incidences of all those complications are less than 1%.

The majority of people can return home the same day after surgery.

What are the preventions of cataracts?

To reduce your chance of getting cataracts:

  • Shield your eyes from UVB rays by wearing sunglasses outside
  • Regular eye examinations
  • Quit smoking
  • Eat fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidants
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Keep diabetes and other illnesses in check

Conclusion

As you grow, it is typical to develop cataracts and some vision issues. But you do not have to put up with it. Cataract surgery is one of the secure and most efficient surgeries performed in the U.S. It is quick and relatively painless.

It gives clear vision back to 90% of people and rarely causes complications.

 

For any information related to free surgery under Ayushman Yojana or any queries regarding Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Contact Medpho on #BasEkCall at 88569-88569.

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