What is a Cataract?
The lens of the eyes plays an important role in helping us see images sharply. By bending light rays and adjusting the eye's focal distance, we are able to see objects clearly, whether near us or from afar. As we age, proteins inside the lens may form a clump, resulting in the opacity of the lens. This condition is called a cataract. Of the roughly 45 million cases of blindness, 51 percent is due to age-related cataract, making cataract the leading cause of blindness all over the world.
Cataract Causes and Risk Factors
AgeWith age, discolouration of lens to a shade of yellow or brown is common. Although this does not affect the sharpness of the images you see, it may be difficult to identify colours such as blue or purple.
Ultraviolet Radiation
Eye Injuries
Genetics
Medication or Drug Use
Certain types of medications, as well as smoking, have been found to cause or increase the risk of the development of cataract. In particular, taking triparanol and miotics may lead to higher risks of cataract formation later on.
Congenital conditions
Congenital conditions
Congenital diseases, such as rubella and congenital syphilis, may also cause the development of cataracts, either during childhood, or as a result of underdevelopment prior to an infant's birth. Congenital cataracts don't always affect vision, and it is usually removed after the patient's birth.
People with health conditions, such as hypothyroidism, hypocalcaemia, leprosy and uveitis, may also have an increased risk of cataract development.
Eye Cataract Symptoms
The symptoms of a cataract may vary depending on the type of cataract a person has. But generally, symptoms include:
- Blurry vision
- Colours do not appear as sharp
- Glare of headlights or sunlight hurt your eyes easily and halos may appear around them
- When closing one eye, you see double vision or multiple images with the open eye
- Unable to clearly see in a brightly-lit room
- You have a frequent need of changing your eyeglasses
Cataract Surgery
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, visit your eye care provider immediately. An eye examination will be performed as part of the diagnosis. Cataract surgery is the best option for cataract removal, although, it may not be an option for you if you have other eye diseases.
During the cataract surgery, the eye's crystalline lens will be removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL), an artificial lens. The procedure usually takes less than an hour and you may be allowed to go home on the same day of the surgery. You will not feel the newly inserted lens, as it will become part of your eye. 90% of the patients who had undergone cataract surgery have improved vision.