A cataract is a progressive clouding of the lens of a person’s eye. A cataract prevents light from entering the eye and reaching the retina.
Cataracts are the most common cause of visual impairment in old age. Cataracts can also occur due to illness or injury. Sometimes a cataract is congenital.
Symptoms of cataracts:
- Gradual decrease in vision with age;
- Significant reduction in twilight and night vision;
- Difficult vision in bright sunlight due to the appearance of “shine” around sources of light;
- Impaired ability to recognize colors;
- The need to change points frequently;
- Difficulty reading.
Causes of cataract:
- Age;
- Eye injury;
- Heredity;
- Diabetes;
- Prolonged use of certain medications;
- Ultraviolet radiation;
- Some exchange disorders.
Surgical treatment is the only way to treat cataracts.
Fortunately, modern cataract surgery is safe and effective. The surgical treatment of cataracts should be considered when the cataract reduces vision so much that it interferes with your normal lifestyle and your normal work.
You and your doctor must decide when it is advisable to have surgery. For people leading an active lifestyle, driving a car, reading a lot – removing cataracts may be required at earlier stages of its development. For people who do not read much and do not drive a car, surgery may be required later.
In the surgical treatment of cataracts, the clouded lens is removed from the eye and replaced by an artificial one. This allows not only to restore the transparency of the optical media of the eye, but also its focusing abilities. In most cases, the operation of cataract removal and implantation of an artificial lens allows you to fully restore vision.
Picture Credit: TobiasD