2023-07-12 06:30:55
Cataracts can cause vision changes such as blurred or blurred vision, double vision, and sensitivity to light. Symptoms may appear gradually and develop over time.
The lens is the transparent part of the eye, located behind the iris, which focuses light on the retina. A cataract is a cloudy or cloudy area of the lens due to age-related changes, trauma, or another cause.
Here are the different cataract symptoms, types of cataracts, causes and treatments.
What are the symptoms of cataract?
Cataracts usually grow slowly and may not cause any symptoms at first.
With the time, cataracts can develop and lead to visual disturbances. A person with cataracts may experience one or more of the following symptomsTrusted Source:
loss of vision
blurred vision
vision double
polyopia, or seeing two or more images arranged in ordered rows after fixing the eyes on a stimulus
sensitivity to glare from lights, including headlights
colored or rainbow halos around the lights
repeated need to change glasses or contact lenses
objects appearing discolored
objects that look yellow
What are the types and causes of cataracts?
The lens is made up of fibers enclosed in a capsule. It consists of two main parts: the cortex, which is the outer part with young fibers, and the nucleus, the deep part with old fibers.
Types of Cataract
A cataract can develop in any part of the lens, and its name corresponds to the layer in which it forms. The types are as follows:
Posterior capsular cataract : it is a cataract in the rear outer layer of the lens. This type of cataract usually develops quickly.
Cortical cataract : it is a cataract in the lens surrounding the nucleus. It looks like a radius or a corner.
Nuclear cataract : it is a cataract located in the center of the lens. This type of cataract tends to darken with age, turning from a light color to a yellow or sometimes brown or black color.
Causes
Most cataracts are due to age-related changes in the lens, where proteins break down and clump together.
Other factors can cause or contribute to the development of cataracts, including
the wounds
chemical lesions
smoking
alcohol use disorders
x-ray exposure
undernourishment
systemic diseases such as diabetes
uveitis
prolonged exposure to UV light
exposure to infrared heat
Learn more about the different types of cataracts.
What are the treatments for cataracts?
Treatment for cataract depends on the level of visual impairment it causes. If the visual impairment is minimal, doctors may recommend pupil dilation or the wearing of refractive glasses to improve vision.
A doctor may recommend cataract surgery when
the cataract progresses to the point where it affects the person’s ability to carry out daily activities
visual acuity is less than 20/80
there is a medical indication for the surgery, such as:
retinal detachment
phacomorphic glaucoma
phacolytic glaucoma
Types of surgery
Cataract surgery involves removing the lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Eye surgeons use one of two approaches to remove the lens.
Small incision cataract surgery with phacoemulsification involves making an incision in the side of the cornea where a probe is inserted. The probe emits ultrasound waves that break up the lens so that the doctor can suck it out.
Extracapsular surgery involves making a larger incision in the cornea to remove the entire lens as a solid piece and replace it with an intraocular lens.
How do doctors diagnose cataracts?
To help diagnose cataracts, an eye doctor may start by asking about symptoms, taking a complete medical history, and performing an eye exam.
Different tests can help diagnose cataracts. They may include Trusted Source:
visual acuity, which measures the sharpness of vision
refraction measurement
pupil dilation to assess the retina
measuring the pressure inside the eye
color vision and glare sensitivity tests
The eye doctor will be able to explain the tests they recommend and answer any questions about what they entail.
Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about cataracts.
What are the first signs of cataracts?
Cataract grows slowly and may not cause symptoms at first. When symptoms do appear, they may include cloudy or blurry vision and glare.
How do the eyes feel in cataracts?
People with cataracts develop a range of vision problems. Usually these changes are not painful, but other symptoms, such as sensitivity to glare, can be bothersome.
What is the average age of cataract onset?
Lens proteins begin to break down around the age of 40. Age-related cataracts can develop slowly over time. More than half of Americans age 80 and older have cataracts or have had cataract surgery.
Cataract is a clouding of the lens that usually occurs due to age-related changes. Other factors can contribute to this phenomenon, including certain health conditions and eye injuries. Symptoms can include blurred vision, double vision, and difficulty seeing at night. Symptoms may appear gradually and develop over time.
Cataract treatment depends on the severity of the visual impairment. When symptoms are mild, prescription glasses may suffice, while doctors usually recommend surgery in more severe cases.
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