Things you need to know about cataracts
A cataract is a condition in which proteins accumulate over the eye lens and cause cloudiness or blurriness. It occurs slowly and gradually with the increasing age. You may feel like seeing something through a dirty window. If you also feel like that, visit a top eye specialist in Lahore. Do not delay the visit to the healthcare provider if you have any complain related to eyes, as some eye diseases can cause blindness.
What are the Symptoms Of Cataracts?
The symptoms of a cataract may include:
Double or blurry vision
Fading of colors
Difficulty in seeing in the night
Halos around light
Trouble with bright lights
Frequent need to change the glasses
What Causes Cataracts?
A cataract can occur due to many reasons. It can include
the overproduction of reactive oxygen- the species our body produces that can cause damage to the eye.
Smoking
Diabetes
Long term use of steroid medications like prednisolone
Trauma or injury
Ultraviolet rays
Radiation therapy
What are the Types of Cataracts?
Depending on how and where they develop, cataract can be classified as follows:
A nuclear cataract occurs in the middle of the lens and turns the nucleus or the center into brown and yellow.
A cortical cataract appears in the shape of wedges and occurs on the nucleus edges.
A posterior capsular cataract occurs in the back of the lens, and its progress is faster as compared to the other two.
A congenital cataract occurs from birth or during the first year of a child’s life. It is less common as compared to the one that occurs with the increasing age.
A secondary cataract occurs due to any other causative agent, like disease or medication. Diseases like diabetes and glaucoma can predispose the person towards a cataract. Moreover, taking medications like a steroid for a long time can also cause it.
Traumatic cataracts occur due to an accident or injury to the eye. But it takes a long time to show up.
Radiation cataracts can occur upon exposure to radiotherapy like that of cancer treatment.
What are the Risk Factors for Cataracts?
The risk factors for cataract can include
Obesity
Smoking
Diabetes
Family history of cataracts
Hypertension
Too much exposure to the sunlight
Exposure to radiations like X rays
What are the Treatment Options For Cataracts?
If you are unable to get the surgery done, the doctor will manage your cataract through sunglasses, magnifying glasses, or sunglasses with an antiglare layer over it. Otherwise, surgery is the ultimate treatment that helps in getting rid of it.
Surgery
The doctor will perform surgery if your cataract is hindering your daily life activities like driving, reading, or writing. Mostly surgery includes the procedure of phacoemulsification- a procedure in which the opthalmologist would break down your lens into pieces through a laser beam and replace it with an intraocular lens implant. It is done under the effect of local anesthesia, which prevents the movements of the eye.
Another surgery option for cataract includes extracapsular cataract extraction. In this procedure, the doctor will take out the lens, leaving behind the elastic capsule, and will insert an intraocular lens implant. This procedure is done with a long incision in the cornea.
Surgery for cataracts is generally safe. The patient may be able to go home on the same day.
How Can You Prevent Cataracts?
To lower the chances of getting a cataract, you must take the following precautionary measures:
Maintain a healthy weight
Quit smoking
Wear sunglasses when going out
Get regular screening tests done
Keep a check on you blood sugar level
Eat plenty of fruits containing antioxidants
Conclusion
Cataract, if not treated at the right time, can cause blindness. Moreover, it can hinder your daily life activities. However, you can get rid of it by getting a surgery done. If you face blurriness or cloudiness while seeing, do not delay your visit to the healthcare provider and visit the best eye specialist in Lahore.
