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What are cataracts?

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 What is it? 

A complete, partial, or ocular opacity, of one or more eyes, causing blindness or an opacity impairing vision is known as a cataract.



Formation of cataracts
Photo Credit: Wellish Vision Institute

Symptoms 

  • Cloudy or Blurred Vision
  • Glare
  • Poor Night Vision
  • Causing loss of vision due to clouding of the eye lens. 
  • Colors may not appear as bright as before.




      



There are 4 different types of cataracts

 

 
Why you shouldn't ignore cataracts
Photo Credit: Benjamin Optical Eye Centre









1. Age-related cataracts: 

The greatest risk factor is age.

  • Most cataracts are related to aging.                                       
  • As you get older, you may notice vision changes with aging. 
  • You are at higher risk of age-related eye diseases and conditions.  
Other risk factors are:
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Family History
  • Due to Race. Usually, Caucasians lose vision from Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). 

What is a Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exam?


The Dilated Eye

Undilated Pupil                                        Dilated Pupil

2. Congenital cataracts: Babies who are born with cataracts or develop cataracts in childhood. These often affect vision in both eyes, can lead to blindness. 

3. Secondary cataracts: Develops in people with certain other health issues like diabetes.

4. Traumatic cataracts: Cataracts develop due to an eye injury. 


Cataract Surgery

 How are Cataracts treated?

A cataract needs to be removed only when vision loss interferes. For early cataracts, different glasses are used to improve vision. 
Surgery is the only option that involves replacing and removal of the cloudy lens with a substitute lens. 
If these measures do not improve vision, then a cataract needs to be removed via surgery. 


Benefits of Cataract Surgery 

Before Vs After Vision
Photo Credit: Cataract Surgery Birmingham


Improvements in activities, like driving, watching TV, reading, working, safety and self-confidence.  
In addition, early treatment for many eye diseases may save your sight. You should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once every 2 years.

Epidemiology of cataracts

  • According to the World Health Organization cataracts are the number one cause of blindness worldwide.
  • People who had regular daily doses of the antioxidants Vitamin C and E were 32% less likely to have developed cataracts.
  • 50 million persons in the world are BLIND from cataracts. 
  • More than half of the people over 65 have cataracts 60% of people over the age of 75 have cataracts. 
  • If you live long enough you are virtually GUARANTEED to develop a cataract. 



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