A cataract is a clouding of the
lens in the eye which leads to a decrease in vision. Cataracts develop slowly
and can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms like, blurry vision, halos around
light and faded colors, problem with bright lights, and seeing at night.
1]
How do cataracts develop?
When the protein clumps up, it
clouds the lens and reduces the light that reaches the retina. The clouding may
become hard enough to cause blurred vision.
Most age-related cataracts develop from protein clumping. When a
cataract is small, the cloudiness affects only a little a part of the lens.
2]
Who is at risk for cataract?
The risk of cataract increases as
you get age older. Other risk factors
for cataract include:
• Some diseases like as diabetes
• The environment such as longer
exposure to sunlight.
• Personal activities such as
smoking and alcohol use.
3]
What are the symptoms of a cataract?
Here are some symptoms of cataracts that include:
• Double vision in a single eye
• Clouded, blurred or dim vision
• Sensitivity to light and glare
• Seeing "halos" around
lights
• Fading or yellowing of colors
• Rising difficulty with vision at
night
• Require for brighter light for
reading and other activities
4]
How is a cataract detected?
To Find out that you have a
cataract, Your Doctor will see all your medical record and symptoms, to perform
an eye examination. Your doctor might conduct some tests, including:
·
Visual acuity
test: A
visual acuity test done by using a chart to measure how well you can read a
letters in series. Your eyes are tested one at a time, whereas the opposite eye
is closed. By using a chart or a viewing device with more and smaller letters,
your Eye Specialist determines if you've got 20/20 vision or if your vision
shows signs of injury.
·
Slit-lamp
examination:
A slit lamp permits your doctor to
visualize the structures at the front of your eye under magnification. The
microscope is called a slit lamp as a result of it uses intense line of light, a slit, to illuminate
your cornea, iris, lens, and therefore the space between your iris and cornea. The slit
permits your doctor to look at these structures in small sections, that makes
it easier to notice any small abnormalities.
·
Retinal exam: To prepare for a
retinal test, your eye doctor puts drops in your eyes to open your pupils wide
(dilate). This makes it easier to test the back of your eyes (retina). Using a
special device referred to as an ophthalmoscope, your eye doctor will examine
your lens for signs of a cataract.
5]
How is cataract treated?
When your prescription glasses
cannot clear your vision problem , then the only effective treatment for
cataracts is surgery.
When
to consider cataract surgery
Have a discussion with your
Doctor about the surgery whether it is right for you or not. Most of the eye
doctors suggest keeping in mind cataract surgery when your cataracts start to
affect your quality of life or obstruct with your capacity to do normal
activities, like reading or driving at night. It's you and your doctor has to
decide when cataract surgery is right for you.
For most people there no hurry to
remove cataracts because they more often don't harm the eye. But cataracts can
get worse faster in people with diabetes. Postponing the procedure normally
won't affect but how well your vision recovers if you later decide to have
cataract surgery. Get time to consider the benefits and risks of cataract
surgery with your doctor. If you don’t like to undergo cataract surgery now,
your eye doctor will suggest for a periodic follow-up exams to check if your
cataracts are progressing. How frequently you'll see your eye doctor depends on
your situation.
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