What causes cataract?

[FRIENDS EYE & CHILD CARE CENTRE]

Summary: Cataract is a disease that happens at a particular age most commonly over 60 but sometimes it happens in childhood which has a special term known as “congenital”. This term is also dedicated to the children who born with a cataract disease that happens because of improper development in the womb or any kind of injury.

This is a disease that happens often after or at the age of 60 when the vision gets blurry and cannot be corrected by any lens. This is the situation when the vision of an old person gets cloudy and known as a cataract. It is a very common disease among older adults and can be treated by eye doctors.

A cataract is a dense cloudy portion that happens in the eyes’ lens. It starts when the eye protein starts forming clusters that stop the lens from sending a clear image to the retina. Retina has a function of converting the light that approaches throughout the indication of the lens. It hurls the signal to the optic nerve that carries them to the brain.

A cataract starts developing slowly and has such no reasons, ultimately hinder with the vision of the eye. Sometimes old-age people end up with cataract in both eyes but it doesn’t develop in both eyes at the same time. It is a common eye disease in old age people. About 45% old age people are suffering from this disease. As per the research in India, more than half of the percentage undergoes into cataract surgery between the ages of 60-80.

Initially, when cataract starts developing, eyeglasses and stronger lightning can assist people to deal with it and see clearly. But after it develops properly it is hard for the person to see properly with naked eyes even with the glasses. The only way to deal with the cataract is surgery as it interferes with the vision. The surgery of the cataract is a safe and effective step towards having a clear vision.

What causes Cataract?

It is very common to develop cataract at a certain age, it happens when the protein of the eye starts forming a cluster and make the vision of the eye cloudy. The cloudy appearance that forms around the eye stops the light passing through the lens. It sometimes causes a loss to the vision of the eye-sight. There are diverse types of cataract that include:

1 Traumatic: This type of cataract forms after an injury to the eye.

2. Age-related: This is a common type of cataract that forms at a particular age, usually when people cross 60.
3. Secondary: This is a type of cataract that happens as an outcome of some medical conditions such as diabetes. This cataract can also be formed in the eye after being into contact with toxic substances, radiations, ultra-violet light and also by taking medicine, for instance, diuretic or corticosteroids.
4. Congenital: This is a term for the children who born with a condition of cataracts. This may be happened because of injury, infection and bad development in the womb. This also forms in childhood.

Certain other things eventually increase the risk of cataracts such as excess UV radiation exposure, heavy drinking and smoking.

What are the symptoms of a cataract?

Cataract commonly forms slowly. It is hard to detect cataract until the person starts developing problems in vision. There are certain symptoms of cataract that may help you to detect it:

1 When cataract starts developing you may feel cloudy, blurry, foggy or filmy vision.

2. You may feel a problem with the glare during the day time.
3. People with old age might get eye disease called nearsightedness.
4. You may feel problem while wearing contact lenses or glasses as they are not correcting enough vision.
5. You may feel like a double vision in the affected vision.
6. When cataract happens you might feel trouble while driving at night.
7. Change in the way you see colour is common in cataract.

How is cataract diagnosed?

When you feel blurry and cloudy vision, it is recommended to see your doctor as soon as possible. They will examine your eyes and test how well your vision is or you can see. The doctor will expand the pupil to check other parts of the eye that also includes a lens. It is suggested that you bring your glasses or contact lens whatever you wear at the time of appointment.

Risk factors of cataract

1 Obesity

2. Smoking
3. Older age
4. Diabetes
5. 5. Heavy alcohol use
6. Previous eye injuries
7. High blood pressure
8. Diabetes
9. Exposure to radiation from x-rays and other treatments such as cancer.
10. Much sun Exposure.
11. 11. A family history of cancer.

Treatments of Cancer

If you can’t go for the option of surgery or you have not interested then you may ask your doctors for the other options that will help you to manage the cataract symptoms. Doctors might suggest you stronger eyeglasses, sunglasses, magnifying lenses or anti-glare coating that protects your eyes from developing cataract any further.

Preventions of cataract

 To reduce the risk of cataract here are some prevention methods:

1 Eat vegetables and fruits that have antioxidants

2. Stop smoking
3. Protect your eyes from harmful radiations such as UV rays by wearing glasses.
4. Keep diabetes and other medical conditions in check
5. Keep your diet healthy and well-maintained.

About Author: (Friends Eye & Childcare center )

Friends Eye & Childcare center is a highly advanced and modified eye center where they offer many options to their patients for advanced ocular care. https://www.eyespecialistdelhi.com/cataract-surgery/