Cataract - Definition, causes, symptoms, prevention/treatment

A cataract is a condition in which a clear eye lens becomes cloudy or gradually gets opacified. The cloudiness of the lens makes things appear frosty for individuals with cataracts, and it appears as if they are looking at things through foggy window glass. They find it difficult to drive a car or read a book, especially at night.

The cataract develops in the patients slowly and affects their eyesight, eventually leading to vision loss. Cataract surgery is an easy, safe, and effective procedure to help with impaired vision affecting daily activities.

Causes of Cataract

There are various reasons that lead to the development of cataracts. Injury to the eye lens and aging are some of the major reasons. Other causes that lead to cataract development are

• Diseases like myotonic dystrophy and diabetes
• Injury due to exposure to radiation like UV rays
• Drugs like corticosteroids
• Nutrient deficiency
• Smoking
• Alcohol use

Symptoms of Cataract

The following are the symptoms of cataract development:

• Blurry vision
• Colored halos
• Glare sensitivity
• Faded color vision

Patients may experience the symptoms gradually and often complain about rainbow halos and intense sensitivity to the sunlight or headlights of automobiles. Furthermore, the appearance of faded objects and the increased frequency of changing spectacles are indicative of maturing cataracts.

Treatment of Cataract

There are multiple treatment options chosen on the basis of opacification of the eye lens.

In case the visual acuity is 6/24, then the surgery is not required, and routine activities can be carried out with the use of refractive glasses only.

If the visual acuity becomes worse than 6/24 and glaucoma is also indicated to adversely affect the vision, then surgery is required. Cataract surgery involves the removal of a cloudy lens and implanting an artificial lens in its place.

Prevention

Several strategies to prevent the development of cataracts are:

Take a healthy diet: A diet full of colorful fruits and vegetables prove to be good for the overall provision of vitamins and required nutrients. Colored fruits and veggies have a lot of antioxidants that help maintain good eye health.

According to various research studies, antioxidants are a proven solution in preventing cataracts.

Have regular eye examinations: Eye examination at appropriate intervals will ensure the detection of eye problems at their earliest. It is crucial to consult a doctor for proper eye examination and treatment.

Stop smoking: Plan to quit smoking in order to keep the entire body healthy, especially the eyes.

Reduce alcohol intake: According to some research, it is estimated that excessive alcohol intake increases the risk of cataract development.

Wear sunglasses: Direct exposure to harmful UV rays may accelerate the process of cataract development.