Apart from surgery, are there other cataract treatment options?

Cataract is a condition when the eye's lens, which should be transparent, turns cloudy. The common cause of cataracts is aging. When you have this condition, you will experience the most common symptoms of cataracts in the form of blurry or blurred vision. Cataracts are most effectively treated with surgery, but there are ways that are said to help you deal with this condition. Here's the explanation.

What are the cataract treatment options?

Cataract surgery is the only effective treatment option for treating lens fogging. However, cataracts are not always treated with surgery. Surgery is only performed when the cataract symptoms you feel really interfere with your daily activities.

Not only to get rid of cataracts and restore your vision completely, there are several medications and treatments for people with cataracts to slow their progress, such as:

1. Special glasses

If the cataract symptoms aren't too bothersome, you may not need cataract surgery yet. Using glasses can be one way to treat cataracts so that the progression of the disease can be inhibited.

Quoted from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, there are two main types of glasses, namely:

• Single vision glasses, which are versatile lenses designed to help you see from near or far. These glasses are useful for those with focus problems.
• Multifocal glasses, namely glasses that correct near or far vision in the same lens. This lens is used to correct distance vision for those with presbyopia.

You may need to change your eyeglass prescription from time to time between the ages of 40 and 60 because the natural lens of your eye will continue to lose its flexibility and focus.

2. Eye drops

An article published by the American Optometric Association states that lanosterol can be an alternative way to treat cataracts and slow its progression. Lanosterol belongs to a group of chemical compounds called sterols.

In one study, researchers said that added sterols can prevent the formation of new protein clumps that cause cataracts. The compound can also stop hereditary and age-related cataracts when tested on mice and human lens tissue removed during cataract surgery.

The article also states that there are eye drop products containing N-acetylcarnosine (NAC) which are said to treat cataracts.

This drug, manufactured in Russia, is available in the United States as a dietary supplement, but has not yet been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. These drops are patented by a research team in Russia, where most of the studies on N-acetylcarnosine were conducted.

The study published in the National Library of Medicine states that to date there is no conclusive evidence that NAC can cure cataracts, prevent cataract development, or change the appearance of a cataract for the better. That is why, this drug still needs further research.

3. Operations

The doctor may recommend surgery to treat cataracts if it is interfering with daily activities. The reason is, until now cataract surgery is still the only treatment therapy that can cure cataracts.

During the operation, the eye surgeon will remove the cloudy natural lens of your eye. The lens will then be replaced with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).

There are two treatment options for cataract surgery, namely:

• Traditional cataract surgery, the most common operation in the world which is recognized as safe and effective.
• Laser assisted cataract surgery, surgeries that are more expensive than traditional types and are often not covered by insurance.

Generally, cataract surgery In most people with cataracts, surgical treatment does not always need to be done as soon as possible. This is because cataracts usually don't hurt your eyes. However, for people with diabetes, cataracts may get worse.

Cataract surgery is generally a safe procedure, but the risk of infection and bleeding remains. Cataract surgery can also increase the risk of retinal detachment.

Some people do not feel too much pain when undergoing this operation. However, it comes down to how much you can handle the pain yourself (pain tolerance). So, it is possible that you and other people will have different experiences.

People who have had cataract surgery may experience blurred vision for the next few years. This usually occurs because the eye capsule (the part of the eye that holds the IOL) becomes cloudy. To restore this condition, the doctor will perform a procedure called a capsulotomy.

4. Lifestyle changes

While waiting for the cataract surgery that you may have, you can reduce your cataract symptoms with home remedies and lifestyle changes, such as:

• Make sure your glasses or contact lenses fit the prescription
• Use a magnifying glass to read if needed
• Increase lighting in the house
• When going outdoors, wear sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat to reduce glare
• Limit driving at night

Home treatment for cataracts can help temporarily relieve cataract symptoms, but as the cataracts progress, your vision may get worse. When your vision loss starts to interfere with activities, consider treatment in the form of surgery.

Apart from making the lifestyle changes above, you can also do the tips below before deciding to do cataract surgery:

• Tell your doctor if cataracts are making your daily activities difficult
• See your doctor for regular check-ups
• Ask your doctor about the benefits and risks of cataract surgery
• Instruct your family members to have their eyes checked by a doctor because cataracts can also pass from one family member to another.

Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss, but the various treatment options described above can treat this condition. You and your eye doctor should discuss your symptoms in order to determine the right treatment for your condition.