Cataract Treatment and Prevention

Cataract Treatment and Prevention

Cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in the lens of the eye. Cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. The lens works much like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The lens also adjusts the eye's focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away. Most cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are very common in older people. Cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other. Cataracts may be present at or shortly after birth. These are called congenital cataracts. Cataracts are classified of three types permary is nuclear cataract is most commonly seen as it forms. This cataract forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, and is due to natural aging changes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other.
Secondry is cortical cataract, which forms in the lens cortex, gradually extends its spokes from the outside of the lens to the center. Many diabetics develop cortical cataracts.Third is subcapsular cataract begins at the back of the lens. People with diabetes, high farsightedness, retinitis pigmentosa or those taking high doses of steroids may develop a subcapsular cataract. Congenital cataracts can also be caused by infections affecting the mother during pregnancy, such as rubella. They are also associated with metabolic disorders such as galactosemia. Congenital cataracts risk factors include is inherited metabolic diseases, a family history of cataracts, and maternal viral infection during pregnancy. Congenital cataracts may be inherited. The gene for such cataracts is dominant (autosomal dominant inheritance), which means that the defective gene will cause the condition even if only one parent passes it along.
Causes of Cataract
1.Injury or trauma.
2.Genetic factors (congenital cataracts).
3. Exposure to ultraviolet light.
4.Diet high in antioxidants beta-carotene (vitamin A).
5.Heavy alcohol consumption.
Symptoms of Cataract
1.Cloudy or blurry vision
2.Problems with light, including headlights that seem too bright.
3.Faded colors.
4.Poor night vision.
5.Frequent changes in prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Treatment of Cataract
The only treatment for cataract is surgery to remove it. Cataract surgery is very successful in restoring vision. In fact, it is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States, with over 1.5 million cataract surgeries done each year. There are 2 types of surgery that can be used to remove lenses that have a cataract First is Extracapsular surgery consists of surgically removing the lens, but leaving the back half of the capsule (the outer covering of the lens) whole. High-frequency sound waves (phacoemulsification) may be used to soften the lens to help removing it through a smaller cut second is Intracapsular surgery involves surgically removing the entire lens, including the capsule.

Cataract Symptoms And Causes

Cataract Symptoms And Causes

Symptoms include blurry vision that is made worse when subjected to bright light (ie sunlight or bright headlights when driving). Light may seem to scatter or there may be halos (rings) around light sources.
Others will describe their symptoms as cloudy, fuzzy or foggy vision. Both eyes will typically be affected; however, it is not unusual for one eye to be worse than the other. Symptoms of cataracts tend to develop gradually but overall vision will continue to deteriorate if not treated and can lead to blindness.
Cataracts often occur with aging and are more common over 60 years of age. Risk increases with a family history of cataracts, hardening of arteries, diabetes mellitus, long term use of cortisone drugs, smoking, or exposure to radiation. Cataracts can be present in infants (congenital cataracts).
Cataract Diagnosis And Treatment
A person with cataracts will notice the symptoms listed above and these changes in vision should be reported to a physician or eye doctor. A person developing cataracts may require frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions. The evaluation may include a physical examination and ophthalmic (eye) examination such as a standard eye exam or slit lamp examination.
Surgical removal and replacement of the affected lens is necessary to restore normal vision. If a cataract is not interfering with normal daily activities, then surgery may not be considered necessary. In mild cases of cataracts, changing glasses or getting stronger bifocals may be sufficient to restore adequate vision.

Cataract Removal and Lens Implant

Cataract Removal and Lens Implant

Cataracts in both eyes had affected my quality of life. Certainly, cataracts were not a good match for a professional writer. Reading incoming email was difficult and proofreading was a real challenge. I did not drive at night because I saw halos around car head lights and street lights. "Are you ready for cataract surgery and a lens implant?" asked the eye doctor. My answer was an instant yes.
Using a plastic model of the eye, the eye doctor explains the surgical procedure. Though his explanation was low-key it made me nervous, for I did not want anyone, even a skilled surgeon, messing around with my eye. "Cataract Surgery, "an article on the Mayo Clinic website, describes the procedure. The article says surgery is needed if" a cataract is making it difficult for you to carry out normal activities. "
My eye doctor gave me a list of steps to follow before surgery. To prevent infection, I was to put antibiotic drops in my eyes for several days and the morning of surgery. I was to stop eating at 7 pm the evening before surgery and could not eat breakfast. I was not wear a turtleneck sweater or any makeup. Of course I followed these rules to the letter.
According to an article on the All About Vision website, "Guide to Eye Cataracts," cataract surgery is usually successful and restores vision. "Nine out of 10 people who have cataract surgery regain good vision, somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40 , "notes the article. Hopefully, my surgery would have this result.
I was the first patient on the surgical schedule. My doctor gave me a step-by-step summary of what would happen. A nurse would review my medial history. Drops would be put in my eye to dilate the pupil. An anesthesiologist would give me medicine that made me sleepy. In the operating room I would be asleep for a few minutes. During this time I would receive local anesthesia to numb the eye.
The chair I had been sitting in was set back to become a rolling surgical table and I was wheeled into the operating room. It was so cold I asked for a blanket and, in seconds, was wrapped in a warm cocoon. As the surgeon worked I could shadows in my eye. Though I felt him insert the new lens, I felt no pain. The surgery lasted about 25 minutes, a metal shield was placed over my eye, and I was sent home.
"New Lenses Offer Cataract Patients Clearer Future," a 2007 article on the Medical News Today website, describes the lenses that are available. According to the article, these lenses "can respond to the six muscles in the eye that control movement." And a December 2009 article about lenses on the Medicine Net website, says three types of lenses are available: monofocal (high-quality distance vision), toric (corrects astigmatism) and multifocal.

What Cataract Surgery Is Available?

What Cataract Surgery Is Available?

If you are suffering from cataracts then there is help at hand. Did you know you can have surgery to correct the problem? For those of you who don't know what cataracts are, they are the clouding of the lens in the eye. This condition usually doesn't develop in people under the age of 50 but it is quite common in people in their 70's. Cataracts develop slowly over time, but if they are left without being treated then eventually the lens can become completely hardened and cloudy and sight can be impaired. By having the lens of the eye replaced, a person's sight can go back to how it would be if the cataracts had not developed. Anyone with cataracts in the family is more likely to develop the condition, as are people with kidney problems or diabetes.
Depending on how advanced the condition is, it is possible to wear glasses or contacts if you have cataracts which can help a person see more, but this is far from a perfect solution, especially when there is surgery that can help remove the condition altogether. Regular check ups for your eyes are absolutely essential from the age of 50 so that if you have started to develop cataracts you can be given appropriate glasses or given advice on how to slow down the development.
Cataract surgery is safe and comes with very few risks. If the condition has developed to the point where sight is impaired, surgery should be considered. During the surgery the cloudy lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial one that is not only free from problems but unable to develop the same condition again in the future. The surgery doesn't take very long and often surgery is finished after just half an hour. Local anesthetic is used during the procedure and a very small incision is made on the surface of the cornea. Ultrasound technology is used to help break up the existing, cloudy lens which is then removed. An artificial lens will be put in its place.
You can receive customised cataract surgery too which means you can receive a lens that carries with it other benefits. For example if you are also long sighted, this can be corrected at the same time. Your eye surgeon or doctor will discuss all the options available with you when you go for a consultation. You can spend time discussing the treatments available and how much it will cost. With cataract surgery, there is not a very big rush to having the surgery which means you can take your time choosing where to go and when to have it done. Other conditions do not work like this. For example with glaucoma, any lost sight cannot be replaced which means surgery should be had as soon as possible.
Following cataract surgery you may be required to rest for a few hours. Over the next couple of days you should also take life a little easier than you might otherwise and there will be a couple of check ups required back at the hospital. The risk of infection is small but it is still necessary for the doctor to be able to check everything is as it should be. After a few days life can go back to normal. It is a safe and low risk procedure that can bring huge benefits to a person's life. If you are interested in finding out about cataract surgery you should contact a nearby eye hospital to make an inquiry.