The translucent tissue behind the iris and pupil of the eye known as the lens is impacted by the cataract, a common eye ailment. To enable clear vision, the lens aids in focusing light onto the retina. But when a cataract appears, the lens darkens or becomes opaque, impairing vision.
One or both eyes may be affected by cataracts, which generally progress slowly. They are most frequently linked to aging, but they can also be brought on by other things like trauma, heredity, diabetes, long-term sun exposure, or specific medications.
People who have cataracts may develop symptoms that include hazy or unclear vision, increased light sensitivity, trouble seeing at night, seeing haloes around lights, fading or yellowing of colors, and a need for more excellent light when reading or doing other tasks.
The most effective method of treating cataracts is cataract surgery. The clouded lens is taken out during the surgery, and an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is put in its place. The success rate of cataract surgery in restoring eyesight is very high. It is one of the surgical operations that is carried out the most frequently worldwide.
It’s vital to remember that timely diagnosis and treatment of cataracts depend on early detection and regular eye exams. See an eye care specialist for a proper evaluation and recommendations if you detect any changes in your vision or feel any symptoms.
Causes of Cataract
- Aging: The most prevalent type of cataracts are age-related. The proteins in the lens of the eye might begin to deteriorate and clump together as we age, causing cloudiness and opacity.
- Genetics: Some genetic predispositions can make cataracts more likely to occur. Your chance of acquiring cataracts may be higher if you have a family history of the condition.
- Diabetes: People who have diabetes are more likely to have cataracts at a younger age. The lens can become clouded due to high blood sugar levels.
- UV radiation exposure over an extended period of time: UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds can raise the risk of cataracts. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses can help shield your eyes from the sun.
- Alcohol and smoking: Smoking cigarettes and drinking too much alcohol have both been related to an increased risk of cataracts.
- Eye trauma and injuries: Cataracts can form due to eye trauma and injuries, such as those caused by accidents or specific surgical operations.
- Medication: Long-term use of some drugs, like corticosteroids, can raise the risk of cataract development.
- Other health issues: The risk of cataracts has been raised in association with a number of health issues, including high blood pressure, obesity, and prolonged statin medicine use.
Symptoms for Cataract
- The vision that is fuzzy or cloudy: The vision may become increasingly hazy or fuzzy as if you are gazing through a foggy or frosted window.
- Low-light vision problems: You might have issues seeing clearly or have trouble differentiating between different things in dimly lit conditions.
- Sensitivity to glare: Discomforting glare can be brought on by bright lights, such as headlights at night or sunshine during the day. Around light sources, glare can take the form of a halo or starburst.
- Reduced color perception: Colours may appear drab, faded, or yellowed, which takes away from the visual experience’s overall vibrancy and richness.
- Increased nearsightedness: Cataracts can alter vision, which results in a brief reduction in nearsightedness. But often, this is followed by a steady decline in eyesight as a whole.
- Double vision: Cataracts can result in double vision, where you may see overlapping images or images that appear to be ghosts.
- Frequently updating prescriptions for contact lenses or glasses: As cataracts develop, the refractive power of the eye may alter, necessitating regular adjustments to prescriptions for both.
- Night vision challenges: Cataracts can increase problems with glare, diminished contrast, and impaired depth perception, making night vision particularly difficult.
- In order to see clearly, activities like reading or working on close-up chores may call for brighter lighting than usual.
Types of Cataracts
- The most prevalent kind of cataracts, age-related cataracts are a normal aspect of aging and are the most common type. They develop as a result of the proteins in the eye’s lens slowly degrading and aggregating.
- cataracts that are congenital: Congenital cataracts can be present at birth or appear in early childhood. Genetic issues, perinatal infections (like rubella), metabolic problems, or eye injuries are some of their potential causes.
- Secondary cataracts: Secondary cataracts can originate from other medical illnesses or circumstances, such as prolonged use of specific medications (such as corticosteroids), eye trauma, ocular inflammation, or underlying health disorders like diabetes.
- Cataracts caused by trauma: Cataracts caused by trauma to the eye develop as a result of an injury or trauma. They may appear right away following the harm or may take time.
- Age-related changes in the lens’s nucleus can lead to nuclear cataracts, which develop there. Reduced eyesight is the result of the lens gradually becoming yellower and harder.
- Cortical cataracts: The cortex of the lens, the outside of the eye, is where cortical cataracts grow. They appear as opacities that are wedge-shaped and move inward from the lens’s edge.
Natural remedies for Cataracts
- A healthy diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, and foods high in antioxidants may help preserve eye health. Include foods rich in beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamins C, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Citrus fruits, leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, berries, fish, and nuts are a few examples.
- UV protection: Wear sunglasses that completely block UVA and UVB rays to shield your eyes from damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation. For added security outside, think about donning a wide-brimmed hat.
- Quitting smoking is good for your general health, which includes the condition of your eyes. There is evidence that smoking increases the chance of developing cataracts.
- Schedule routine eye exams with an optometrist or ophthalmologist to identify and treat any eye diseases, such as cataracts. Vision preservation can be aided by early detection and prompt treatment.
- Maintain proper control of chronic illnesses: As diabetes and hypertension can raise the risk of cataracts, maintain proper control of these conditions. To properly manage these illnesses, heed your healthcare provider’s advice.
- Maintain a healthy weight and get regular exercise: Maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise can improve one’s general health, which includes eye health. The circulation of the blood is improved by exercise, which is good for the eyes.
Treatment options for Cataract
- The most popular method for cataract surgery is phacoemulsification. It includes making a tiny incision in the cornea and shattering the clouded lens into tiny pieces with ultrasonic energy. Following the removal of the lens pieces, the same incision is used to install an IOL.
- Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE): In this procedure, a bigger incision is created in the cornea or sclera to remove the cataract whole. To sustain the implanted IOL, the back section of the lens capsule is kept intact.
- Laser-assisted cataract surgery: This cutting-edge method uses a femtosecond laser to carry out some of the procedures in cataract surgery, such as making exact incisions and dissolving the cataract. It can improve the surgery’s accuracy and precision.
Preventions for Cataract
- Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays can raise the risk of cataracts, therefore shielding your eyes from them. Wear sunglasses that completely filter UVA and UVB rays, and when you’re outside, think about donning a wide-brimmed hat for additional protection.
- Smoking has been linked to an increased chance of developing cataracts, so try to cut back or stop smoking. The general health of your eyes can benefit if you stop smoking.
- Keep up a healthy diet: Fruits and vegetables, especially those that are high in antioxidants, can improve eye health. Include in your diet items like citrus fruits, leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, berries, and things high in omega-3 fatty acids (like fish and nuts).
- Manage underlying medical conditions: Diabetic and hypertensive disorders might hasten the onset and progression of cataracts. The risk can be decreased by effectively managing these disorders through medication, dietary adjustments, and routine medical exams.
- Schedule routine comprehensive eye exams with a member of the eye care team. They can keep a watch on your eye health, spot early indications of cataracts, and offer the proper advice and treatment alternatives.
- Limit your alcohol intake because excessive alcohol use has been linked to an increased risk of cataracts. Alcohol consumption in moderation or abstinence can be advantageous for eye health.
- Maintain a healthy weight and get regular exercise: Maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise can promote eye health as well as general health.
Complications of Cataract
- Getting infected after having cataract surgery is a remote possibility. Antibiotics are typically sufficient to treat this, though, in exceptional circumstances, more aggressive treatment may be needed.
- Inflammation: After surgery, there is a chance of developing an infection in the eye, which can cause redness, pain, and increased light sensitivity. With anti-inflammatory eye drops, this is often treated.
- Corneal edema: Corneal edema, which can briefly impair eyesight, is a condition that certain people may suffer. With enough time and the right care, this normally goes away.
- The chance of retinal detachment, in which the retina separates from the underlying tissue, is increased after cataract surgery, despite the condition being quite uncommon. A curtain-like shadow or floaters may appear in the field of vision or flashes may appear suddenly. An additional surgical procedure is necessary for retinal detachment, which needs to be treated right away.
- Glaucoma: In a few instances, cataract surgery can result in an increase in intraocular pressure, which can either cause or exacerbate glaucoma. Particularly in patients with pre-existing glaucoma, it is crucial to monitor and control intraocular pressure after surgery.
- The intraocular lens (IOL), which is inserted during cataract surgery, can occasionally become dislodged or move out of place. To relocate or replace the IOL in this situation may necessitate additional surgery.
- Secondary cataracts: In a tiny percentage of situations, a thin membrane may develop behind the new IOL, resulting in vision that is once again foggy. The simple posterior capsulotomy laser technique can be used to treat this.
*Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not substitute professional medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation of your symptoms and appropriate treatment.
Author Information
Author Contribution: Reviewed by Dr. Ram Reddy, MD – General Physician.