Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is cataract?
- How common is this condition?
- Signs & symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of cataracts?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes cataracts?
- Types
- What are the types of cataracts?
- 1. Nuclear cataract
- 2. Cortical cataracts
- 3. Posterior subcapsular cataract
- 4. Congenital cataracts
- Risk factors
- What increases my risk of developing cataracts?
- Treatment
- What are the treatment options for cataracts?
- What are the usual tests to diagnose this condition?
- 1. Visual acuity test
- 2. Examination of the slit lamp
- Home remedies
- What are some lifestyle changes that can be made to prevent cataracts?
Definition
What is cataract?
Cataract is a vision disorder in which the lens of your eye becomes cloudy and cloudy. People with cataracts feel like they always see fog or smoke.
Most of these eye conditions develop slowly and are not as irritating at first. Over time, this condition will get worse until it interferes with your vision. As a result, it will be difficult for you to carry out routine activities.
In the early stages, stronger lighting and glasses can help you deal with the vision problems that arise from cataracts. However, if the lens in the eye becomes cloudy and the vision problem gets worse, surgery may be a solution. Cataract surgery is generally a safe procedure that is effective.
How common is this condition?
Cataracts are a common eye condition, especially in the elderly, both men and women. You can lower your risk of this condition by controlling your risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of cataracts?
This condition can occur in one or both of your eyes. However, lens opacities do not spread from eye to eye. This means that if one of your eyes has cataracts, it is not certain that the other eye will become cloudy.
Cataract signs and symptoms are:
- The vision blurred like fog
- The color around looks faded
- Glare when you see car lights, sun, or headlights.
- See the circle around the light (hello)
- Double view
- Decreased night vision
- Change the size of the glasses frequently
Initially, the sensation of seeing fog may affect only a small part of the lens of the eye. So, you don't really notice that your vision is starting to decline.
Over time, this "fog" will get bigger and blur your view more broadly. It is at this time that you may just begin to notice disturbing symptoms.
There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
You should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Some of the above symptoms are annoying or get worse
- When the symptoms interfere with your daily activities
- Feeling pain in the eye
Everyone's body is different. That is why, even if you have the same condition as other people, the symptoms that appear may not be the same. Consult with your doctor to get the right treatment.
Cause
What causes cataracts?
The most common causes of cataracts are aging and trauma that causes changes in eye tissue.
Cataracts due to aging occur because of two things, namely:
- Protein clumps in the lens of the eye. This causes objects to look less clear and less sharp
- The clear lens gradually turns yellow-brown in color. This is what causes brownish yellow eyes, to form cataracts.
Most of the eye lens consists of water and protein. With increasing age as the cause of this condition, the lenses become thicker and inflexible.
This causes protein clumps and reduces light entering the retina, a light-sensitive layer that sits behind in your eye. As a result, the vision becomes blurry and not sharp.
Lens changes begin with a light brownish yellow color but worsen with time. You begin to have difficulty distinguishing between blue or purple.
Types
What are the types of cataracts?
The most common types of cataracts are caused by aging. This condition is called senile cataract.
Apart from senile cataracts, quoted from the Mayo Clinic, there are other types of cataracts, including:
1. Nuclear cataract
This type of cataract affects the center of the lens and can cause nearsightedness or even changes in your vision while reading. Over time, the lenses gradually turn darker yellow and turn brown. This condition further blurs your vision.
2. Cortical cataracts
This is a type of cataract that affects the edges of the lens. Cortical cataracts begin as white, cloudy, scratch-shaped patches on the outer edge of the lens cortex. As it slowly develops, the lines then extend to the center and disturb the light passing through the center of the lens.
3. Posterior subcapsular cataract
Posterior subcapsular cataract occurs at the back of the lens. This condition usually begins with a small, blurry area that usually forms around the back of the lens, right in the path of light.
This type of cataract often interferes with your vision when reading, reduces your vision in bright light, and causes glare or halos around lights at night.
4. Congenital cataracts
As the name implies, this condition occurs as a result of birth and is called a congenital cataract. It may be genetic or related to intrauterine infection or trauma (trauma in the uterus). This condition may also be caused by certain other conditions, such as myotonic dystrophy, galactosemia, neurofibromatosis type 2 or rubella. Generally, congenital cataracts can be treated as soon as they are detected.
Risk factors
What increases my risk of developing cataracts?
The following are some of the risk factors for cataracts that might make you more likely to experience this condition:
- Aging
- Family history
- Eye trauma or eye surgery.
- Drink alcohol or smoke
- Other diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity
- Prolonged sun exposure
- Long-term use of corticosteroid drugs
Treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
What are the treatment options for cataracts?
There is usually no need for therapy if your vision is undisturbed. If your eyesight is getting worse and it becomes difficult to carry out your daily activities, the only option for treatment is cataract surgery.
Surgery is generally safe and does not require hospitalization. There are 2 types of surgery to relieve symptoms, namely:
- Small incision cataract surgery (phacoeulsification). This operation is performed by making a small incision on the edge of the cornea. The doctor emits ultrasound waves to destroy the lens and is then removed using a suction
- Extracapsular surgery which requires a wider incision to remove the cloudy lens core. The remainder of the lens is removed by means of a suction
During the second operation, an artificial lens, also known as an intraocular lens, is inserted to replace the original lens that was cloudy and removed. This operation takes about 1 hour.
Some people who undergo this operation feel no pain, although some do. The pain you feel will depend on your ability to withstand the pain (pain tolerance).
Your doctor may use eye drops to numb your eyes and keep you awake or use general anesthesia to make you unconscious.
What are the usual tests to diagnose this condition?
To confirm a diagnosis, your doctor will perform an evaluation of your medical history and perform a comprehensive eye exam. You will be referred to an ophthalmologist (ophthalmogist), who will perform several tests to confirm cataracts.
The eye doctor will perform a series of tests, including:
1. Visual acuity test
The visual acuity test uses an eye chart to measure how well you can read a series of letters. Your eyes are tested one by one, while the other eye is closed.
By using a chart or vision tool in progressively smaller letters, your eye doctor determines if you have any vision conditions.
2. Examination of the slit lamp
A slit light allows the eye doctor to see the structures at the front of your eye under a magnifying glass. A microscope is called a slit light because it uses lines of intense light to illuminate your cornea, iris, lens and the space between your iris and cornea. This allows the doctor to detect any minor abnormalities.
3. Retina test
To do a retina test, the eye doctor will give you eye drops to open the pupil of your eye wide. This will make it easier for the doctor to examine the back of your eye (retina).
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes that can be made to prevent cataracts?
Some steps and lifestyle changes that can help you overcome, prevent, or minimize the risk of cataracts are:
- Go to the doctor if your vision problems are interfering with your daily activities.
- Have regular eye examinations with your optometrist
- Protect your eyes from bumps and sun exposure for too long. Use glasses that protect 100% from both UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays, especially during the summer.
- Maintain blood sugar levels within normal ranges if you have diabetes. Cataracts develop more quickly if your blood sugar levels are high.
- Improve the lighting in your home.
- Use a magnifying glass when reading.
- Limit the habit of driving at night.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.
