Cataract

CATARACTS

CATARACTS: WHAT IS IT AN HOW TO CURE IT?

A cataract is the clouding of the lens in the eye that leads to a decrease in vision. After a couple of months, noticeable changes in color vision can be noted, as well as halos that appear around lights, especially at night, and the general decrease in vision. It is common that during the first stages of this disease that the patients reports that his/her reading vision has improved. This is due to the clouding of the eye lens that causes myopia, that in turn leads to an improvement in nearsighted vision. However, this “improvement” is only temporary, and after a couple of months, the patient’s vision for both near and far will be affected. Many times when al older patient reports seeing and improvement in his nearsighted vision, this does not mean that his vision is improving, but rather may mean that he/she is developing cataracts.
1WHEN SHOULD I CONSIDER SURGERY TO TREAT CATARACTS?
In the past, doctors spoke of “letting the cataract develop and mature” before operating on it. Today, opinions have changed. It is now accepted that when a cataract is interfering with the patient’s daily activities and routines, that a surgical procedure should be contemplated. It should be noted that vision requirements are not the same for everyone. For example, a surgeon may need to get cataract surgery after only having lost 20% of his normal vision due to the nature of his work, while a handy-man or a retired older patient can wait until having lost 80% of his vision before considering surgery and without this greatly affecting their daily activities. With modern ultrasound techniques, doctors are now able to treat cataracts in the early stages of its development before having to wait for it to “mature”. Removing a softer cataract facilitates the surgical procedure and it makes it a whole less risky.
2HOW ARE CATARACTS DIAGNOSED?
A thorough eye exam done by an ophthalmologist (a specialized eye surgeon) can detect the presence and severity of a cataract, as well as any other ailment that may by affecting the patient’s vision. Apart from Cataracts, there may be other reasons for gradual loss of vision, particularly if they are problems related to the retina or the optic nerve. If these problems exist, it is possible that perfect vision may not be attained even after treating the cataract. If such ailments that are affecting the patient are very severe, it is possible that eliminating the cataract may not result in any improvement of vision. Consult with your ophthalmologist about the possibilities of a repaired vision that you can expect depending on your own condition.
3HOW QUICKLY DO CATARACTS DEVELOP?
The speed at which a cataract can develop depends greatly on the individual and can vary from eye to eye. The vast majority of cataracts are associated with the aging process and their severity progresses gradually over the course of several years. Other cataracts, especially those present in younger patients and those that are diabetic, can progress quickly during the course of a couple of months, resulting in a loss of vision in a short span of time. It is not possible to determine the speed at which cataracts develop in a particular person.
4WHAT PROCEDURE IS USED TO TREAT CATARACTS?
Surgery is the only way that your ophthalmologist can remove your cataract. However, if the symptoms are not very severe, it is possible that a simple change in the prescription of your lenses may be all that is needed so that the patient can see clearly. There are no medicines, nutritional supplements, exercises or optical devices that have shown to be effective in preventing or treating cataracts. Protection against UV-rays can help prevent or delay the development of cataracts. Sunglasses help to protect against the UV-rays, as well as normal prescription glasses.
5WHEN SHOULD SURGERY BE CONSIDERED?
A patient should consider surgery when the cataracts are causing sufficient vision loss that is interfering with the normal activities of the individual. It is not necessary for cataracts to fully develop before considering surgery. In fact, surgery to eliminate cataracts can be done when it is necessary, depending on the vision of the individual. The patient should decide if their vision is well enough to continue carrying out daily activities such as driving safely, accomplishing tasks at work, reading, watching TV, etc.

WHAT RESULTS CAN I EXPECT FROM THE CATARACT SURGERY?

Yearly, 1.4 million people undergo cataract surgery, and 95% of them report no sign of complications post-surgery. The surgical procedure to eliminate cataracts is generally done under local anesthesia, without having to be hospitalized. During the surgery, the eye lends is removed, and in the majority of cases, the focus and clarity of the lens is restored by placing a permanent intraocular lens in the eye. An ophthalmologist can carry out this delicate procedure utilizing a microscope, miniature surgical tools and other modern technological devices.
Almost immediately after the surgery, a patient can resume normal everyday activities. However, following the instructions given by the ophthalmologist, eye drops should be used periodically. Additionally, several check-ups post-surgery will be needed so that the ophthalmologist can assess the healing process. In approximately one fifth of people who undergo cataract surgery, the capsule that holds the intraocular lens in place will become cloudy again. If this is the case, laser surgery is done to open the opaque capsule and repair the patient’s vision. Cataract surgery is a medical procedure with a very much success rate. More than 90% of cases result in improved vision, unless other pre-existing conditions such as problems with the cornea, retina or optic nerve interfere. It is important to remember that such conditions, if severe enough, can inhibit the success of the cataract surgery and prevent the patient from achieving clear vision. Like with any other surgery, a 100% improvement cannot be guaranteed.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CATARACTS?

  • Inheritance
  • Medical problems such as diabetes.
  • Eye Injuries .
  • Medications such as steroids
  • Long-term exposure to sunlight without using eye-protection
  • Previous eye surgery .
  • Unknown factors

WHAT IS NOT CLASSIFIED AS A CATARACT?

A cataract is the clouding of the eye lends (crystalline), which is its normal state is clear and transparent. A comparison to a scratched window or one covered in ice can be made. •It is not a cloth that covers the eye • It is not caused by overuse of the eyes • It does not spread from one eye to the other • It doesn’t cause irreversible blindness • Some common symptoms of cataracts are: • The vision becomes blurred, painlessly • Glare or light sensitivity • Frequent changes in lens prescription • Double vision in one eye. • The need for brighter light for reading. • Poor night vision. • Colors seem faded or yellowed . The size and shape of lens opacity may vary, If the opacity is not near the center of the lens, it is likely that you will not even suspect having a cataract. Cataracts are a common cause of impaired vision, especially in the elderly, and it is possible to treat them. An ophthalmologist can determine if the vision loss or discomfort is great enough, determine if there are cataracts in the eye or any other sort of ailment, and if surgery is the appropriate course of action for every specific person and case. The risk of developing cataracts increases in children that need prescription eye lenses but do not use them. It is necessary to have regular eye exams, and if your child needs eye lenses, it is important to get them as soon as possible.