Understanding Cataracts
We all hear the common word Cataract, but less percentage of people know about cataract eye disease. Most people are not aware of the causes and symptoms of cataracts due to this lack of information most people are undiagnosed with this disease and suffer from blindness. Dr. Archana Singh at Clairevision Eye Hospital, Wakad has taken the initiative to create awareness about cataract disease. In this blog, she explains all about cataract eye disease and how we can prevent it. Also, She and the Clairevision Eye Hospital team regularly organized free eye checkup camps for the Wakad and Pune people to early diagnose eye disease.
A cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world. When a clouded, denseness appears in the eye’s lens, it is known as a cataract. The dense clouds are due to the clumping of proteins. The cloudiness prevents the lens from sending signals to the brain. The onset of the disease is gradual and can eventually lead to a complete loss of vision. One or both eyes may get affected. If the cataract is present in both eyes, it might have developed at different times. If you’re over 60 and your vision has gotten blurry or cloudy, you may have cataracts. It’s a common disease in older adults, and it can be treated by your eye doctor. Dr. Archana Singh offers Cataract Treatment in Wakad, Pune, and also explains cataracts’ causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts cloud the eye’s natural lens, which is behind the iris and pupil. This clouding causes blurry vision, making it challenging to see clearly. Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes and are commonly associated with aging, but they can also grow due to other factors.
Cataracts can significantly impact one’s quality of life, as they affect daily activities like reading, driving, and recognizing faces. They grow slowly, often going unnoticed in their early steps. However, as they progress, vision impairment becomes increasingly apparent, showing a reduced ability to perform tasks independently.
Types of Cataracts:
Understanding the various types of cataracts can provide insights into their progression and impacts on vision.
- Nuclear Cataracts: These cataracts affect the central nucleus of the lens and are mainly associated with aging. They often progress slowly, causing a gradual decline in vision. Nuclear cataracts can bring about the yellowing or browning of the lens.
- Cortical Cataracts: Cortical cataracts impact the lens cortex, the outer layer covering the central nucleus. They typically start as wedge-shaped spokes on the periphery of the lens and extend inward. Cortical cataracts can cause visual disturbances, such as glare and halos around lights.
- Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts: These cataracts develop at the back of the lens, just beneath the lens capsule. They can progress rapidly and have a significant impact on near vision and reading. Posterior subcapsular cataracts often result in improved glare sensitivity, particularly in bright lighting conditions.
What Are the Symptoms?
Dr. Archana Singh guides cataracts usually form slowly. You may not understand you have them until they begin to block light. Then, you might notice:
- Vision that’s cloudy, blurry, foggy, or filmy
- Nearsightedness (in older people)
- Changes in the way you see color
- Difficulties driving at night (glare from oncoming headlights, for example)
- Problems with glare during the day
- Double vision in the affected eye
- Trouble with eyeglasses or contact lenses not working well
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What Are the Causes of Cataracts?
Cataracts develop for different reasons, and understanding these causes can assist people to take preventive measures.
- Aging: Natural protein breakdown in the eye’s lens causes clouding over time, a common aging process.
- Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: Prolonged UV exposure from the sun increases cataract risk. UV-protective sunglasses can help.
- Genetics: Family history can predispose individuals to cataracts, making regular eye check-ups important.
- Medical Conditions: Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity heighten cataract risk. Proper management of these situations is important.
- Smoking and Alcohol Consumption: Both smoking and extreme alcohol use are linked to a higher risk of cataracts. Stopping smoking and moderating alcohol intake can improve eye health.
What Are the Risk Factors for Cataracts?
While anyone can develop cataracts, specific factors can increase your risk. Understanding these risk elements can assist you take preventive measures:
- Age: People over 60 are at a higher risk.
- Sun Openness: Without sufficient eye security, UV bars can harm the eye’s lens.
- Health Conditions: Diseases like diabetes and hypertension can increase the risk.
- Lifestyle Choices: Smoking and unnecessary liquor utilization are critical factors.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: A diet lacking in antioxidants and specific vitamins can raise cataract risk.
- Obesity: Living overweight can contribute to cataract formation.
- Previous Eye Surgery or Damage: These can cause you more susceptible to cataracts.
- Genetics: A family record of cataracts can predispose you to the situation.
What Are the Diagnosis of Cataracts?
An Eye Specialist in Wakad, Pune at Clairevision Eye Care Clinic, performs a series of investigations to confirm the diagnosis and evaluate the stage. Diagnosing cataracts includes an exhaustive eye exam, which contains several important components.
- Visual Acuity Test: Measures how well you see at various distances to reveal vision impairment and the extent of visual acuity loss caused by cataracts.
- Slit-Lamp Examination: Uses high magnification to assess the eye’s structures, helping to determine the location and severity of cataracts and detect other coexisting eye conditions.
- Retinal Exam: Thoroughly examines the retina to check for other eye problems like macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, ensuring early detection and appropriate management.
- Measurement of Refractive Errors: Accurately measures refractive errors to determine the correct prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, which often need adjustment due to cataracts.
- Dilation of the Pupils: Dilates the pupils for a comprehensive examination of the lens and retina, aiding in the diagnosis of cataracts and providing a wider view to assess abnormalities.
What Are the Cataracts Treatment Options?
Cataracts are treatable, and cataract surgery is the most effective method to restore clear vision.
- Phacoemulsification: The most common cataract surgery method uses ultrasound waves to break up and remove the cataract through a small incision. An intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted to change the natural lens. It’s minimally intrusive, allowing for quicker recovery and less post-operative pain.
- Extracapsular Surgery: Used for advanced cataracts where the lens is too dense to break up. The cloudy lens is removed in one part and replaced with an IOL. This more invasive procedure may require a longer recovery period.
- Intraocular Lens Options: Patients can choose from mono-focal IOLs for clear vision at one distance, multifocal IOLs for multiple distances, and toric IOLs to correct astigmatism, depending on their lifestyle and visual needs.
What Are the Prevention of Cataracts?
- UV Protection: Wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB beams to diminish cataract danger.
- Healthy Diet: Eat antioxidant-rich foods like leafy greens, citrus fruits, and nuts to cover eye health.
- Regular Eye Checkups: Schedule regular eye exams for early detection and management of eye diseases.
- Smoking Cessation: Stop smoking to lower the risk of cataracts and enhance overall health.
- Diabetes Management: Control blood sugar levels to stop cataracts and other diabetic eye difficulties.
If you or a loved one is facing an Eye problem, we are here to help. Contact an Eye Surgeon in Pune for a consultation and personalized treatment plan. Cataracts can have a deep impact on your vision. Understanding cataracts, their causes, symptoms, and treatment options is important for maintaining clear vision. If you suspect you have cataracts or are experiencing any vision changes, don’t hesitate to call 9156170951 / 8669501575 and Book An Appointment at Clairevision Eye Care Wakad, Pune.
