Overview
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which is ordinarily clear. Seeing through hazy lenses is similar to looking through a frosty or fogged-up window for individuals with cataracts. Cataracts can make it difficult to read, drive a car (especially at night), or notice the expression on a friend’s face due to clouded vision.
The majority of cataracts form slowly and do not affect your vision at first. But with time, cataracts will eventually interfere with your vision.
Stronger lighting and spectacles can help you cope with cataracts at first. However, if your vision is obstructing your daily activities, you may need cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is, fortunately, a relatively safe and successful technique.
Symptoms
Cataracts can cause the following signs and symptoms:
- Vision that is clouded, hazy, or dull
- Night vision becomes more difficult
- Sensitivity to light and brightness
- For reading and other tasks, a brighter light is required.
- Seeing “halos” around lights is a common occurrence.
- Changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions on a regular basis
- Color fading or yellowing
- In one eye, there is double vision.
At first, the cloudiness caused by a cataract may only impact a tiny portion of your vision, and you may be completely unaware of any vision loss. The cataract swells in size, clouding more of your lens and distorting the light traveling through it. It’s possible that this will result in more obvious symptoms.
Cataract Diagnosis
To diagnose cataracts, your ophthalmologist will examine and test your eyes. Dilation will be part of this full eye exam. This indicates that eye drops will dilate your pupils.
Slit-lamp exam
Your cornea, iris, lens, and other front-of-the-eye structures will be examined by your ophthalmologist. The use of a slit-lamp microscope makes abnormalities more visible.
Retinal exam
The pupils of your eye are dilated when they are wide open, allowing the doctor to see the back of your eye more clearly. The doctor examines the eye with a slit light, an ophthalmoscope, or both to check for evidence of cataract. In addition to checking for glaucoma, your ophthalmologist will examine the retina and optic nerve.
Refraction and visual acuity test
This test determines how crisp and clear your vision is. The capacity to see letters of various sizes is examined independently in each eye.
Cataract Treatment
Cataracts can only be removed surgically.
You don’t need to get a cataract removed if the symptoms aren’t hurting you too much. You may only require a new eyeglass prescription to improve your vision. When cataracts prevent you from doing tasks you want or need to accomplish, you should consider surgery.
Risk factors
Cataracts are caused by a number of factors, including:
- Diabetes As People Get Older
- Excessive sunlight exposure
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Blood pressure that is too high
- Previous eye inflammation or damage Previous eye surgery
- Use of corticosteroid medicines for a long time
- Excessive use of alcoholic beverages
Prevention
- There have been no studies that have proven how to prevent or halt the progression of cataracts. However, experts believe that a number of strategies could be beneficial, including:
- Have your eyes examined on a regular basis. Eye examinations can aid in the early detection of cataracts and other eye issues. Inquire with your doctor about how often you should have your eyes examined.
- Stop smoking. Seek advice from your doctor on how to quit smoking. You can get treatment from medications, counseling, and other methods.
- Other health issues should be managed. If you have diabetes or any medical condition that puts you at risk for cataracts, stick to your treatment regimen.
- Put on your sunglasses. The sun’s ultraviolet rays may play a role in the formation of cataracts. When you’re outside, wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
- Reduce your alcohol consumption. Excessive alcohol use has been linked to an increased risk of cataracts.
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