What are cataracts?

When the typically clear lens in your eye gets cloudy, a cataract develops, The light is emitted through the transparent lens in the eye directly until it reaches the eye, The lens has covered your iris (colored part of your eye). The lens focuses light so that your brain and eyes can work together to convert data into images, Your eye loses its ability to focus light properly when it grows on the lens, As a result, you may experience hazy vision or other visual problems in seeing, The size of the cataract, as well as its location, are what affect eyesight.  

What are the signs and symptoms of cataracts?

It can cause the following signs and symptoms:

• The sight that is obscured, foggy, or dim.
• Night vision is becoming increasingly challenging.
• Light sensitivity and glare.
• For reading and other tasks, a stronger light is required.
• Seeing "halos" surrounding lights is a common occurrence.
• Frequently changing prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses
• Color fading or yellowing.
• In one eye, there is double vision.

At initially, the cloudiness caused by a cataract may only impair a tiny portion of your vision, and you may be completely unaware of any vision loss, it develops in size, clouding more of your lens and distorting the light traveling through it, This may result in more visible symptoms.  

What Are the Causes of Cataracts?

A variety of factors causes the disease, These are some of them:

• An excess of oxidants (oxygen molecules that have been oxidized) results from typical daily life's chemical changes.
• Ultraviolet (UV) light.
• The use of steroids and other medicines on a long-term basis.
• Diabetes, for example, is one of these illnesses.
• Treatment using x-rays or any radiation therapy.

 

What are the different types of cataracts?

It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes:

• Nuclear cataracts

Initially, It is damaging the lens's center may induce increased nearsightedness or even a transient improvement in reading vision.

However, as time passes, the lens becomes more thickly yellow, obscuring your eyesight, even more, The lens may even become brown as the cataract develops, Advanced lens yellowing or browning can make it difficult to discern between different hues of color.

• Cortical cataracts

It damages the lens's edges, The first signs of a cortical cataract are white, wedge-shaped opacities or streaks on the lens cortex's outer border, The streaks gradually spread to the center of the lens, interfering with light flowing through the center.

• Posterior subcapsular cataracts

It damages the lens's rear surface, A posterior subcapsular cataract begins as a tiny, opaque patch near the rear of the lens, directly in the light path, A posterior subcapsular cataract can produce glare or halos surrounding lights at night, interfere with reading vision, and decrease vision in bright sunlight, These forms of the disease develop more quickly than others.

• Congenital cataracts

Some people are born with it, while others get them later in life. These cataracts might be hereditary, or they could be the result of an intrauterine illness or trauma, Certain diseases, such as myotonic dystrophy, galactosemia, neurofibromatosis type 2, or rubella, can cause it.

Congenital cataracts don't often cause visual problems, but if they do, they're typically removed as soon as they're discovered.

 

What are cataracts Risk Factors?

The following are some risk factors for the disease:

• Advancing years (older age)
• Consuming a lot of booze
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Blood pressure that is too high
• Ocular injuries in the past
• It runs in the family
• Excessive sun exposure
• Diabetes
• X-rays or any radiation and cancer therapies expose.

 

How can you know if you have cataracts?

Your doctor will perform a complete eye exam to check for cataracts and assess your eyesight, An eye chart exam will be used to assess your vision at various distances, as well as manometry to measure your eye pressure. The most popular manometry test flattens your cornea and measures your eye pressure with a painless blast of air, In addition, your doctor will place drops in your eyes to dilate your pupils. This makes checking the optic nerve and retina at the rear of your eye for the damage a lot easier, Your doctor may also conduct tests to assess your sensitivity to glare and your color perception.  

How Can You Prevent It?

There have been no studies that have proven how to prevent or delay the growth of it, However, physicians believe that several techniques might be beneficial, including:

• Regularly have your eyes checked

Eye exams can aid in the early detection of cataracts and other eye disorders, Inquire with your doctor about how often you should have your eyes examined.

• Stop smoking

Consult your doctor for tips on how to quit smoking, You can get treatment from medications, therapy, and other methods, Other health issues should be managed.

If you have diabetes or any medical condition that puts you at risk for cataracts, stick to your treatment regimen, Make an effort to eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables.

By including a variety of colored fruits and vegetables in your diet, You can guarantee that you are obtaining a wide range of vitamins and minerals, Many antioxidants may be found in fruits and vegetables, which can assist in keeping your eyes healthy, Antioxidants in tablet form have not been proven to prevent it in studies.

However, recent significant population research found that a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals was linked to a lower risk of disease development.

Fruits and vegetables offer several health advantages and are a healthy method to supplement your diet with minerals and vitamins.

• Put on your sunglasses.

The sun's ultraviolet radiation may have a role in the formation of cataracts, When you're outside, use sunglasses that block ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.

• Reduce your alcohol consumption

Excessive alcohol use has been related to a higher risk of cataract development.

 

Magrabi’s advice

It's common to acquire cataracts and visual issues as you become older, However, you are not obligated to accept it, The surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures available.

It's a quick and painless procedure, It restores vision to 90% of persons and is seldom associated with problems, You can do this surgery in Magrabi’s centers.

Because he has more experience and training in this subject, only an ophthalmologist can assist you, We are proud of Magrabi's clinics and hospitals, as well as our specialist teams and labs, which can assist you with cataract treatment utilizing the most up-to-date technology, the best materials, and the guidance of an excellent ophthalmologist.