What is ocular cataracts?
Ocular cataracts are an alteration in the transparency of the eye's natural lens, called the lens (located behind the iris, the colored part of the eye). It is characterized by the formation of a cloudy/opaque area that hinders the passage of light to the eye and consequently impairs vision.
What is the crystalline lens?
The lens is the eye's natural, transparent lens that allows light to pass through the retina. It is the lens that receives the light rays that reach the eye and focuses them on the retina, where images are formed, allowing objects to focus from far and near. Therefore, any alteration in the constitution of the lens alters the formation of images on the retina and, consequently, vision.
In an eye with cataracts, the darker the lens, i.e. the greater the clouding, the greater the disturbances in vision.
What are the causes of cataracts?
Cataracts arise due to a degenerative process of the cells of the lens. This can occur for several reasons:
- Advancing age, the most common is that it usually occurs from the age of 50, called senile cataract
- congenital cataracts, those that are present from birth or during childhood
- the existence of other diseases, such as diabetes, glaucoma or eye infections and inflammations
- Other factors:
- Eye trauma
- side effects of medications, such as corticosteroids
- smoking
- Sun exposure
- Alcohol consumption
- Nutritional deficiencies
What are the symptoms of cataracts?
The symptoms of cataracts are usually progressive and painless and are felt in a more or less intense way, depending on the degree of clouding of the lens. The most common symptoms of cataracts are:
- blurred or blurred vision, often distorted and double vision
- Less sensitivity to colors and contrast, for example seeing faded or yellowish colors
- increased sensitivity (glare) to sunlight, lamps and headlights (causing difficulty driving at night)
- See halos around the lights
- difficulty seeing smaller print or details in the distance
Can cataracts cause vision loss?
yes. At a more advanced stage, and in extreme situations, cataracts can cause blindness.
What are the risk factors for developing cataracts?
In addition to advancing age, there are other factors that increase the likelihood of having cataracts, such as:
- diseases such as diabetes
- Frequenting smoky environments
- smoking
- alcoholism
- failure to use appropriate protective equipment in work and sports activities that may affect the eyes
- use of some drugs in high doses, such as corticosteroids or steroids
- Too much exposure to sunlight
Are cataracts contagious?
No. Although you can have cataracts in both eyes, they do not pass from one eye to the other, nor to other people by contagion.
Its appearance is due to the degeneration of the cells of the lens of the eye, which alter its transparency.
Is it possible to prevent cataracts?
There is no one medication that prevents cataracts. But there are recommended precautions that can delay its appearance, namely:
- Protect eyes from the sun and ultraviolet radiation
- Protecting the eyes from wounds (contact lens wearing)
- no smoking
- have a healthy eating, namely with regular consumption of fruits and vegetables
How is the diagnosis made?
It is possible to make the diagnosis from the observation of the eye in a routine consultation with its own device (ophthalmoscope).
In addition, a visual test is done to determine the degree of disability of each eye. This test serves to assess the impact of cataracts on vision and daily activities and to assess the need to proceed to surgical treatment.
What is the treatment for cataracts?
The only treatment for cataracts is surgery that reverses the condition. There is no other medical or natural treatment for cataracts.
What does the surgery consist of?
The surgery involves the removal of the cataract (and the lens), which is replaced by a transparent lens, allowing light to pass through without difficulty, and re-create a clear image on the retina.
It is a safe and quick surgery (about 15 to 20 minutes) and is usually done with the person awake, using local anesthesia. Generally, cataract surgery is done to one eye at a time.
The indication for surgery is also related to the interference of cataracts in daily activities.
What are the general precautions after surgery?
There may be some moderate pain for about 24 hours after surgery, which is relieved with medication. Usually, anti-inflammatory drops are prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation of the eye. It may also be necessary to cover the eye.
It is recommended to reduce some activities such as reading, walking or watching TV/mobile phone on the day of surgery.
The recommendations and prescriptions made by your doctor should be followed.