Cataract is a medical term used to describe the formation of cloudiness and opacity in a person’s lens, which is an important part of the eye. When a cataract is small, you will not notice anything wrong with your vision. However, when the cataract increases in size, you will notice that your sight becomes cloudier and blurrier. You may also have problems distinguishing colors as a result to the blurs.
Age-Related Cataracts
Age-related cataracts may occur due to the clumping of proteins on the lens or the tinting of the lens itself.
Normally, the lens consists mostly of water and protein, and should be transparent to allow light to pass through. However, when the protein clumps up, it clouds the lens and the amount of light the retina receives is reduced.
Also, as the lens slowly tint with age, your vision may slowly acquire a brownish shade. At first, you may not notice it, but as time increases, you may have trouble reading or distinguishing colors. In fact, you may think you are wearing a black t-shirt until your friends tell you that you are actually wearing a purple one.
Other Causes of Cataracts
Cataracts can also be accelerated by environmental factors, such as pollution and smoking. Exposure of the eye to ultraviolet rays from the sun can also cause cataracts, as well as exposure of the eye to toxic substances. Also, trauma to the eye area, such as getting poked in the eye, may develop cataracts over time. Congenital cataracts may also be present during birth or shortly after birth. Metabolic diseases such as diabetes can also accelerate the incidence of cataracts, as well as certain medications such as cortisone.
Treating Cataracts
The early stages of cataracts can be treated by special eyeglasses or anti-glare glasses. If these measures do not work, then the only other option is surgery. This involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Although cataract removal is a very common operation, there are still risks involved, and it is advised that you should not get a surgery unless your cataracts are already interfering with your normal activities such as reading and driving.
Surgery Risks and Rewards
Some of the possible things that may happen after surgery are infection, bleeding, inflammation, double vision, and high or low eye pressure. These are rare, but you don’t have to worry. As long as you follow your doctor’s advices, your surgery will turn out alright. If any of these problems happen to you after surgery, they can still be treated immediately with prompt medical attention.
After surgery, you may feel some itching and irritation. This is because your eye is still adjusting to the changes. Your doctor may also help you by prescribing medicine such as eye drops to help prevent infection. Right after surgery, you must not bend your waist to pick up objects from the floor, and you must not lift heavy objects.
Usually, healing will be complete in about eight weeks. Your doctor will schedule constant exams for your progress.
Prevention
Blocking ultraviolet sunlight with sunglasses or hats will help reduce the risk of cataracts. Also, smokers should get a lot of nutrition, particularly antioxidants, to reduce the risk of cataracts.
