Description

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which is normally clear. For people who have cataracts, seeing through cloudy lenses is like looking through an ice-cream or fogged-up window. Clouded vision caused by cataracts can make it more difficult to read, drive a car at night, or see the expression on a friend.

Most cataracts develop slowly and don't disturb the sight of the principle. But with time, cataracts will eventually affect the vision.

At first, stronger lighting and eyeglasses can help you deal with cataracts. But if impaired vision affects their daily activities, cataract surgery, may be necessary. Fortunately, cataract surgery is generally a safe procedure and effective.

Symptoms

The symptoms of cataracts include:

  • Clouded, blurred or dim vision.
  • Difficulty seeing at night.
  • Sensitivity to light and glare.
  • Need for brighter light for reading and other activities.
  • Seeing halos around lights.
  • Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription.
  • Fading or yellowing of colors.
  • Double vision in one eye.

At first, the cloudiness in your vision caused by a cataract may affect only a small part of the lens of the eye. You may not notice any loss of vision. As the cataract grows larger, it clouds more of your lens. More opacity of the changes of the light that passes through the lens. This can lead to symptoms of notice more.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment for an eye exam if you notice any changes in your vision. If you have sudden vision changes, such as double vision or flashes of light, sudden eye pain, or a sudden headache, see a member of your health care team right away.

Causes

Most cataracts develop when aging or injury changes the tissue that makes the lens of the eye. Proteins and fibers in the lens begin to break down. This causes vision to become hazy or cloudy.

Some disorders are passed from parents that cause other health problems can increase the risk of falls. Cataracts can also be caused by other eye conditions, past eye surgery or medical conditions such as diabetes. The long-term use of steroids can also cause cataracts to develop.

How a waterfall is formed

A cataract is the clouding of the lens. The lens is located behind the colored part of the eye, called the iris. The lens focuses light that passes into your eye. This produces clear and sharp images in the back of the eye, called the retina.

With age, the lenses in your eyes become less flexible, less clear and more thick. The aging and some medical conditions can cause proteins and fibers into lenses, are broken down and grouped. This is what causes the darkening of the lenses.

As the cataract grows, the opacity becomes worse. A cataract scatters and blocks the light that passes through the lens. This avoids that a defined image from reaching the retina. As a result, your vision becomes blurred.

Cataracts usually occur in both eyes, but not always at the same pace. The cataract in one eye may be worse than the other. This causes a difference in the vision between the eyes.

Types of cataracts

The types of cataract are:

  • Cataracts affect the lens center, called nuclear cataracts. A cataract may at first cause distant objects to be blurry, but close objects look clear. A waterfall can even enhance your vision of the reading of a short period of time. But with time, the lens slowly becomes more yellow or brown, and makes your vision worse. It can be hard to tell the colors apart.
  • Cataracts that affect the edges of the lens, called cortical cataracts. A cataract cortical begins as a white, wedge-shaped spots or streaks on the outer edge of the lens cortex. As the cataract grows slowly, the striped spread from the center and affect the light passing through the lens.
  • Cataracts that affect the back of the lens, called posterior subcapsular cataracts. A posterior subcapsular cataracts starts as a small spot that is formed near the rear of the lens, right in the path of the light. A posterior subcapsular cataracts often affect your reading vision. You can also reduce your vision in bright light and cause glare or halos around lights at night. These types of cataracts tend to grow faster than the others.
  • The falls is born with, called congenital cataracts.Some people are born with cataracts or develop during childhood. These falls can be passed on from parents. It can also be associated with an infection or a trauma while in the womb. These waterfalls can also be due to certain conditions. These may include myotonic dystrophy, galactosemia, neurofibromatosis type 2, or rubella. Congenital cataracts do not always affect the vision. If they do, they generally are killed soon after they are found.

The falls is born with, called congenital cataracts. Some people are born with cataracts or develop during childhood. These falls can be passed on from parents. It can also be associated with an infection or a trauma while in the womb.

These waterfalls can also be due to certain conditions. These may include myotonic dystrophy, galactosemia, neurofibromatosis type 2, or rubella. Congenital cataracts do not always affect the vision. If they do, they generally are killed soon after they are found.

Risk factors

Factors that increase the risk of falls include:

  • The increase of the age.
  • Diabetes.
  • Too much sunlight.
  • The habit of smoking.
  • Obesity.
  • Family history of cataracts.
  • Previous eye injury or inflammation.
  • Previous eye surgery.
  • The long-term use of corticosteroid medicines.
  • Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

Prevention

There are No studies that have shown how to prevent or slow the growth of the falls. But health professionals think of several strategies may be useful, including:

  • Regular eye exams. Eye exams can help detect cataracts and other eye problems at their earliest stages. Ask your health care team how often you should have an eye exam.
  • Do not smoke. Ask a member of your healthcare team, how to stop smoking. Medications, counseling and other strategies are available to help you.
  • Manage other health problems. Follow your treatment plan if you have diabetes or other medical conditions that may increase the risk of falls.
  • Choosing a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.Add fruits and vegetables to your diet ensures that you are getting a lot of vitamins and nutrients. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants. Antioxidants help maintain the health of your eyes. Studies have not shown that antioxidants in pill form may help prevent cataracts. But a large population of recent study showed that a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals reduces the risk of developing cataracts. Fruits and vegetables have many proven health benefits. Eating them is a sure way to get enough vitamins and minerals in your diet.
  • Wear sunglasses. The ultraviolet light from the sun can cause cataracts. Wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet B rays when you are outdoors.
  • Reduce the consumption of alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can increase the risk of falls.

Choosing a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Add fruits and vegetables to your diet ensures that you are getting a lot of vitamins and nutrients. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants. Antioxidants help maintain the health of your eyes.

Studies have not shown that antioxidants in pill form may help prevent cataracts. But a large population of recent study showed that a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals reduces the risk of developing cataracts. Fruits and vegetables have many proven health benefits. Eating them is a sure way to get enough vitamins and minerals in your diet.

Diagnosis

To determine if you have a cataract, your eye doctor will review your medical history and symptoms. It will also carry out an examination of the eyes. Your doctor can do several tests, including:

  • Vision test. An examination of the view, also called a visual acuity test, uses a table to measure how well you can read a series of letters. One eye is tested at a time, while the other eye is covered. A chart or a display device with the letters that become smaller is used. With this, your eye doctor determines if you have 20/20 vision or if you have trouble seeing.
  • Eye structure of the test. An eye of the structure of the test, also called slit lamp, allows your eye doctor to see the structures in the front part of the eye up close. It's called a slit lamp, because it uses an intense line of light, a slit, in the light of the structures in the eye. The slot allows your doctor to see these structures in small sections. This makes it easier to find anything that could be wrong.
  • Examination of the retina. An examination of the retina is seen in the back of your eye, called the retina. To prepare for a retinal exam, your eye doctor puts drops in your eyes to open your pupils wide, called dilation. This makes it easier to see the retina. The use of a slit lamp or a special device called an ophthalmoscope, your eye doctor can examine your lens for signs of a cataract.
  • The pressure of the test fluid. This test, also called tonometry applanation, the measurements of the pressure of the fluid in the eye. There are many different devices available to do this.

Treatment

When your prescription glasses can't clear his vision, the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery.

When considering cataract surgery

Talk to your eye doctor about whether surgery is right for you. Most of the doctors suggest to consider cataract surgery when your cataracts begin to affect your quality of life. This may include your ability to perform everyday activities, such as reading or driving at night.

For most people, there is no rush to remove the cataracts, because it usually does not cause damage to the eyes. But the cataract may worsen more quickly in people with certain conditions. These include diabetes, hypertension or obesity.

Waiting for a cataract surgery generally does not affect the way in which his vision is retrieved. Take the time to consider the benefits and risks of cataract surgery with your doctor.

If you choose not to have cataract surgery now, your doctor may recommend regular follow-up exams to see if your cataracts are getting worse. How often you go to see your eye doctor depends on your situation.

What happens during cataract surgery

Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded lens and replace it with a clear artificial lens. The artificial lens, called an intraocular lens, is put in the same place as your natural lens. Remains a permanent part of your eye.

For some people, artificial lenses can not be used. In these situations, once the cataract is removed, the vision can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

Cataract surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis. This means that you do not need to stay in the hospital after the surgery. During the surgery, your eye doctor uses a medicine to numb the area around your eyes. They tend to stay awake during the procedure.

Cataract surgery is generally safe. However, it carries a risk of infection and bleeding. Cataract surgery also increases the risk of the retina to detach from the place. This is called retinal detachment.

After the procedure, you may be sore for a couple of days. Healing usually occurs within a couple of weeks.

If you need cataract surgery in both eyes, your doctor will schedule the surgery to remove the cataract in the second eye after it has been recovered from the first surgery.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To deal with the symptoms of a cataract until you decide to have surgery, try to:

  • Make sure that your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses to date.
  • Use a magnifying glass to read if you need more help reading.
  • Improve the lighting of your house more bright or more lamps.
  • Wear sunglasses or a hat with a wide brim to reduce glare during the day.
  • Limit of driving in the night.

Self-care measures may help for a time, but your vision may get worse as the cataract grows. When the vision loss begins to affect their daily activities, consider the possibility of a cataract surgery.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with your regular eye doctor if you notice changes in your vision. If it is determined that you have cataracts, then you may be referred to an eye specialist who can perform cataract surgery.

There's often A lot to talk about. It is a good idea to be well-prepared for your appointment so that you can make the most of your time. Here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

  • List of the symptoms that you are experiencing, including any that do not seem to be related to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • Have a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all of the information provided during an appointment. Someone who comes with you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • List of questions to ask your health care team.

To the falls, some basic questions to ask include:

  • Cataracts cause of my vision problems?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • Will cataract surgery to correct my vision problems?
  • What are the possible risks of cataract surgery? Are there any risks in the expectation of the surgery?
  • The cost of the cataract surgery, and will my insurance cover it?
  • How much time will I need to recover from cataract surgery?
  • None of the usual activities be restricted after cataract surgery? For how long?
  • After cataract surgery, how long should I wait before I get new glasses?
  • If I use Medicare covers the cost of cataract surgery? Does Medicare cover the cost of new glasses after the surgery?
  • If I don't want the surgery now, what else can I do to help with my vision changes?
  • How do I know if my cataracts are getting worse?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?

In addition to the questions you have prepared, do not hesitate to ask questions at any time if you do not understand something.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care team is likely to ask a series of questions. Be ready to answer them may allow more time later to cover other points you want to address. You may ask:

  • When did you begin to have symptoms?
  • Do you have symptoms all the time or come and go?
  • Do you have problems with the vision in bright light conditions?
  • The symptoms got worse?
  • Does your vision problems make it difficult for you to drive?
  • Does your vision problems make it difficult to read?
  • Does your vision of the problems make it difficult to do your job?
  • Have you ever had an eye injury or eye surgery?
  • Have you ever been diagnosed with an eye problem, such as inflammation of the iris?
  • Have you ever received radiation therapy to the head or in the neck?
Symptoms and treatment of Cataracts