A cataract is a gradually developing opacity of the lens or lens capsule of the eye light shining through the cornea is blocked by this opacity. It commonly occur bilaterally, and each progresses independently. Exceptions are traumatic cataracts, which are usually unilateral, and congenital cataracts, which may remain stationary. Cataracts are most prevalent in people older than age 70 as part of the aging process. The prognosis is generally good surgery and it improves vision in 95% of affected people.
Causes of Cataracts
Cataracts can form at any age, but most commonly, they affect older people. In young people, cataracts can be caused by medical conditions such as diabetes, certain drugs and other eye problems. Cataracts can also exist at birth; these are called congenital cataracts.
There is no universal agreement about the actual causes of cataracts. Research has linked smoking cigarettes, too much exposure to sunlight and poor diet with cataract development. Cataracts may be caused by other health problems such as diabetes.
Diabetes and Family History
For many diabetes patients, cataracts eventually become a problem. Family history is also a factor as cataracts generally develop in patients from generation to generation. However, a person whose parent has cataracts will not necessarily develop cataracts at a later age.
Cataract symptoms
In the early stages a cataract may not cause any symptoms and is frequently only noted when the person goes for a routine eye test when it is seen by the optician. As the cataract gets worse it causes vision to be impaired in the affected eye(s) causing a mistiness or sometimes the impression of dark blobs in the eye. These visual problems cannot be corrected by spectacles and therefore an optician will advise the person to go to their doctor. Cataracts do not themselves cause eye pain or redness so if these symptoms occur, especially if they are associated with worsening vision, medical advice should be sought immediately.
Treatment of Cataracts
If you have cataracts, you may find that your vision is still good enough for you to get along fine with glasses or contact lenses and that surgery isn’t required. The time to consider treatment is if your vision has become noticeably worse, can’t be corrected with a change in your prescription lenses and this is interfering with your everyday activities such as work and hobbies.
Left untreated, your lens may eventually become very cloudy so that it’s impossible to see any detail at all, although you will always be able to see some light.
Self-help
Wearing glasses may improve your vision if your cataract is in the early stages of development, but your cataract will probably get worse over time so this will only provide a temporary solution.
Cataract surgery is considered one of the safest surgical procedures performed today. Recent advances in technology and technique have made it gentler and more reliable than ever.
