Introduction
A cataract is a condition where the Natural Crystalline Transparent Lens becomes cloudy or hazy. An estimated 75 million Indians over the age of 50 have cataracts and it is the most frequent cause of preventable blindness in the world.
Causes
There are various causes for cataract formation. Some of the common ones are:
- Increasing Age
- Exposure to Ultra Violet Radiation
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Diabetes,
- Hypertension
- Injury
- By birth (congenital cataract)
- Metabolic disorders (galactosemia, mucopolysaccharidoses)
With ageing as well as the aforementioned conditions, the ocular capacity to withstand insult due to oxidative stress is reduced. The natural proteins of the eye are not able to withstand the tissue injury due to various causes (oxidative stress) – hence they degenerate and become cloudy or opaque.
Symptoms
Blurred or foggy vision where colours may seems yellow or washed out.
Frequent change of spectacle numbers.
An increased sensitivity to glare, especially at night.
Curtain-like feeling over eyes - as if seeing through a filter paper.
A complete eye examination will definitely diagnose the presence of cataract by your eye specialist.
Treatment
The only definitive treatment is surgical removal. Changing the glasses is not only temporary, but mostly ineffective.
Why Should You Get Operated?
You and the eye surgeon will decide together when the cataract is to be surgically removed. Normally, whenever the cataract interferes or is likely to interfere with routine day-to-day activities, it is time to remove it.
What Will Happen If I’m Not Treated?
If you don’t get treated the cataract becomes harder with age and more difficult for the operating surgeon to remove and also leads to longer post-operative recovery time. In serious cases it can mature or ripen which will result in an increased chance of getting glaucoma – increased eye pressure – which is an ocular emergency.