Introduction: Ever wondered what a cataract is? The most common reason for blindness worldwide is cataracts. A cataract is a cloudy, thick area that develops within the eye’s lens. Too much protein is the leading cause of dense clouds. The lens cannot communicate with the brain because of the cloudiness. The condition gradually develops and finally might cause total blindness. Either one or both eyes could be impacted. Chances are that a cataract is present in both eyes which formed at distinct times.
Symptoms
Following are the cataract symptoms:
- One of the earliest indications of cataract is blurry vision.
- Night vision is compromised.
- The hues appear fading.
- There is an aura about the lights.
- The eye that is affected experiences double vision.
- Patients must often replace their eyeglasses.
Risk factors
A few factors that can raise the risk of cataract are as follows:
- Getting older
- Drinking a lot
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Past eye injuries
- Family history of cataract
- Diabetes
- Excessive sun exposure
Types
The following are examples of common cataract types:
- Nuclear cataract: Affect the lens’s center, progressively deteriorating and impairing vision.
- Cortical cataract: Wedge-shaped and starting near the lens’s edge, it advances towards the lens’s center.
- Congenital cataract: Lens opacities that are present at birth in one or both eyes are referred to as congenital cataract. They may be extremely little and not always impair eyesight, but if they are more serious, surgery is required to remove them.
- Trauma-induced cataract: These grow after an eye injury and frequently take the form of a “rosette” or “flower petal.”
- Posterior subscapular cataract: This condition affects the lens’s center back surface, directly in the light’s path. It usually grows more quickly than the others.
How is a cataract identified?
Various tests can be used by eye physicians to identify cataract.
Test of visual acuity: The patient will be asked to read letters from a distance by the eye doctor to determine how sharp their vision is.
Refraction: The eye doctor may use refraction to assess the degree of refractive error. If the glass prescription has altered and vision cannot be restored to 6/6, a cataract may form.
Slit-lamp examination: This enables the eye doctor to carefully inspect the eye under high magnification for a complete assessment of the cataract while also ruling out any other condition impacting the eyesight.
Retinal examination: The doctor may put pupil-dilating eye drops to examine the retina and optic nerve in the back of the eye. The best way to check for cataract formation on the lens is during a dilated eye exam.
How can cataract be avoided?
There are no studies that demonstrate how to stop or delay the progression of cataract. However, many approaches could be useful, such as:
Regular eye examination: Eye exams at regular intervals can help identify cataract and other eye issues in their earlier stages.
Quit smoking: Research has revealed that those who smoke have a higher risk of developing cataract than non-smokers.
A healthy diet: Having a nutritious diet that is high in fruits and vegetables has been shown to reduce the risk of cataract. Antioxidants are plentiful in fruits and vegetables, which support eye health.
Sunglasses: Wearing sunglasses that block ultraviolet B (UVB) rays may lessen cataract risk by reducing eye exposure to these rays.
If you don’t get treatment for cataract right away, it could seriously affect your health and way of life. Visit an eye doctor frequently to avoid developing cataract and losing your sight!