Cataract - Causes, treatment and tips!

Millions of people all over the world are suffering from cataract, which is one of the reasons causing blindness. Cataract is a condition in which opacity is developed in lens of the eye because of an opaque area. Normally, adults who have crossed 40 year of age face the problem of cataract in their eyes. Aging, over-exposure to sunlight, excessive smoking, some problems and diseases related to eyes or metabolic diseases such as diabetes, poor nutrition (less use of nutritious food elements important for eye), use of some medications etc. are some of the possible risk factors/causes of cataract. Along with the causes enlisted above, family history also plays an important role.

Our eyes work just like a camera; it captures images from the outer world and sends them to our brain so that we can interact with environment. Suppose, if the lens of a camera is spoiled, scratched or half covered with dirt then in that case the picture taken will not be clear enough or it may happen that we would not identify the picture. Same way, if our eye develops cataract, because of opacity we would not be able to see anything clearly. This will cause problems and will hinder our day-to-day activities at large extent.

Cataract generally starts developing painlessly in eye; it slowly causes difficulty in vision with increase in opaque or cloudy area. Usual symptoms of cataract are: cloudy or blurry vision which results from the development of cloudy and opaque area in eye lens, person face difficulty while reading as cataract advances, problem facing bright light: when the person faces bright light, halo around light or sunlight it appears to be brighter to him/her, color vision deteriorates increasingly as cataract advances, night vision of the person worsens and sometimes the person complains of having multiple vision etc.

If you are come across any of the symptoms as given above, you need to visit your ophthalmologist at earliest. Diagnosis of cataract requires examination of your eyes. The tests of cataract include slit lamp evaluation and other devices; also Glare test, Contrast sensitivity test, Potential vision test etc. are some other tests. There are variations in cataract found in each person; some people develop a dense opaque area whereas in some people cataract is just in developing stage where it can be eliminated. There are very few known medications, which help preventing cataract; however the only known best way to get rid of cataract is surgery. According to some researches, Vitamin C and E are recognized to help in reducing risks of developing cataract.

The surgery to remove cataract is generally done after the cloudy area ripens at a certain level i.e. when it becomes denser and the patient cannot see anything clearly even with glasses to perform his/her activities. If the cataract is not troubling much, it is not removed until it does not mature. Generally, cataract surgery consists of removing the lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens. The type of artificial lens to be used, type of removal of the eye lens etc. depends upon the patient’s choice.

Cataract surgery for most of the patients has a very low risk and fewer complications. Patients after cataract operation can see more clearly. They do not need spectacles to see things at long/short distances.

Although it is very hard to state causes of cataract, there are some measures, which we can follow in order to prevent cataract. It is very important to take complete care of our eyes. Take necessary precautions to control diseases, which are associated with cataract i.e., increase the risk of cataract. Smoking, exposure to some poisonous elements etc. can also increase risk of developing cataract, try to avoid these factors. Wear sunglasses when you go outside to reduce exposure to sunlight.