Cataracts are mainly found in people with age group of 65 to 70 years. It is a kind of cloud that forms on the lens of an eye, causing double or blurry vision and also a greater sensitivity to light. This develops with the ageing process and can affect both the eyes too, but mostly they do not form at the same time.
What is Cataract?
Cataracts are usually formed with proteins in the eye which forms clumps. These clumps prevent the lens to send proper images to the retina of the eye (which helps to convert the light that comes from the lens into signals). These signals are then sent to optic nerves which indirectly signal the brains. In this way it develops slowly and steadily and interferes with the vision of the eye. If cataracts are left untreated, then they can lead to complete blindness.
Main causes of these cataracts?
- One major theory says that it is caused due to some disturbances in the fluid and nutrients in the lens
- Diabetes is one major cause of this
- Some kind of trauma
- Over exposure to UV rays or radiation
- Medications, specially the long-term use of steroid tablets
- Smoking or heavy drinking
- Lastly, any family history
Types of cataracts:
- Nuclear Sclerosis: This type of cataracts causes hardening and yellowing of the lens over time. These progresses slowly and gradually making it difficult to see distant objects rather than near ones.
- Cortical: This type of cataracts is found near the outer edges of the eye lens. Hence the effect on the vision varies, depending on the location of this cloudiness on the lens.
- Posterior Subcapsular: This affects the back of the lens and are found in younger people more. Here you will have less vision for near ones rather than distant ones.
- Congenital cataracts: This occurs during birth itself and it hardly affects the vision of the child. They are caused either due to some related syndrome or may be inherited.
- Secondary cataract: These are caused due to medications or some disease.
- Traumatic cataract: These are caused due to some injury done to the eye, but the impact would take several years to affect the eye.
- Radiation cataract: These are caused if the patient has undergone any radiation therapy for cancer related diseases.
Treatment:
One of the best treatments for this is surgery. It is just a normal routine surgery, where the doctor will make an incision in your eye and replace the defective lens with new intraocular lens (IOLs) to restore vision. Also, these surgeries can be done through laser treatment too instead of these incisions. Personal Eyes in Canberra, Australia offers the best doctors for a cataract surgery. For more details you can visit this website of Personaleye.com.
After the eye surgery, it is very important to take care of your eye. Proper precautions need to be taken like wear your eye shield to protect your eye. Also, ensure that you make regular check up with your doctor to ensure everything is fine. And Lastly eat well, specially fruits and vegetables which are rich in antioxidants.
